You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of the stockholders of MeridianLink, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“MeridianLink,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”), to be held virtually on October 21, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., Pacific Time (including any adjournments or postponements thereof, the “Special Meeting”). Stockholders will be able to attend the Special Meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/MLNK2025SM and using the 16-digit control number included in your proxy materials. You will not be able to attend the Special Meeting physically in person. For purposes of attendance at the Special Meeting, all references in this proxy statement to “present” or “in person” shall mean virtually present at the Special Meeting.

We have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as it may be amended, restated and/or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms, the “Merger Agreement”), dated as of August 11, 2025, with ML Holdco, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Parent” or “ML Holdco”), and ML Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of ML Holdco (“Merger Sub”). Pursuant to and subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will be merged with and into MeridianLink, with MeridianLink surviving the merger as a private company and wholly-owned subsidiary of ML Holdco (the “Merger”).

At the Special Meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote on a proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement (the “Merger Proposal”). The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of MeridianLink common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Company Common Stock”), entitled to vote thereon as of the close of business on September 9, 2025 (the “Record Date”) is required to approve the Merger Proposal. At the Special Meeting, you will also be asked to consider and vote on a proposal to approve the adjournment of the Special Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are insufficient votes for the approval of the Merger Proposal at the time of the Special Meeting (the “Adjournment Proposal”). Approval of the Adjournment Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes properly cast for and against such proposal.

If the Merger is consummated, you will be entitled to receive $20.00 in cash, without interest, for each share of Company Common Stock that you own (unless you have properly exercised appraisal rights, including by not voting in favor of the Merger Proposal). On September 19, 2025, the last practicable day before the printing of this proxy statement, the closing price of Company Common Stock on the NYSE was $19.97 per share.

The Board of Directors of MeridianLink (the “Board”), after considering the factors more fully described in the enclosed proxy statement, has unanimously (i) determined that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger (together, the “Transactions”), are in the best interests of MeridianLink and the holders of Company Common Stock (the “Company Stockholders”), and declared it advisable to enter into the Merger Agreement, (ii) approved the execution, delivery and performance of the Merger Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger, and (iii) resolved to recommend that the Company Stockholders adopt the Merger Agreement and direct that such matter be submitted for consideration of the Company Stockholders at the Special Meeting. The Board unanimously recommends that the Company Stockholders vote “FOR” the Merger Proposal and “FOR” the Adjournment Proposal.

The accompanying proxy statement provides detailed information about the Special Meeting, the Merger Agreement and the Transactions. A copy of the Merger Agreement is attached as Annex A to the accompanying proxy

statement. We encourage you to read the accompanying proxy statement, including all documents incorporated by reference into the proxy statement, and its annexes, including the Merger Agreement, carefully and in their entirety, as they contain important information. You may also obtain more information about MeridianLink from documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) from time to time.

Whether or not you plan to attend the Special Meeting, please complete, sign, date and return, as promptly as possible, the enclosed proxy card in the accompanying postage prepaid envelope or grant your proxy electronically over the Internet or by telephone. Only your last-dated proxy will be counted, and any proxy may be revoked at any time prior to its exercise at the Special Meeting. If you attend the Special Meeting and vote thereat, your vote will revoke any proxy that you have previously submitted.

Your vote is very important, regardless of the number of Company Common Stock that you own. We cannot consummate the Merger unless the Merger Proposal is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Company Common Stock entitled to vote thereon as of the Record Date.

If you have questions or need assistance voting your Company Common Stock, please contact:

 

On behalf of the Board, I thank you for your support and appreciate your consideration of this matter.

Neither the SEC nor any state securities regulatory agency has approved or disapproved of the transactions described in this document or the accompanying proxy statement, passed upon the merits or fairness of the Merger Agreement or the Transactions, including the Merger, or determined if the information contained in this document or the accompanying proxy statement is accurate or adequate. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD PROMPTLY. This proxy statement is dated September 22, 2025 and, together with the enclosed form of proxy card, is first being mailed to stockholders on or about September 22, 2025.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special meeting of the stockholders of MeridianLink, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“MeridianLink,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”), will be held virtually via live webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/MLNK2025SM on October 21, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., Pacific Time (including any adjournments or postponements thereof, the “Special Meeting”). The Special Meeting is being held for the following purposes:

Only Company stockholders (“Company Stockholders”) of record as of the close of business on September 9, 2025 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Special Meeting or at any adjournment or postponement thereof.

The Board of Directors of MeridianLink (the “Board”) unanimously recommends that you vote:

Your vote is very important, regardless of the number of shares of MeridianLink common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Company Common Stock”), that you own. Whether or not you plan to attend the Special Meeting, please complete, sign, date and return, as promptly as possible, the enclosed proxy card in the accompanying prepaid reply envelope or grant your proxy electronically over the Internet or by telephone. If you fail to (i) return your proxy card, (ii) grant your proxy electronically over the Internet or by telephone or (iii) attend the Special Meeting, your Company Common Stock will not be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the Special Meeting and, if a quorum is present, will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the Merger Proposal.

Under Delaware law, stockholders and beneficial owners who do not vote in favor of the Merger Proposal will have the right to seek appraisal of the fair value of their issued and outstanding Company Common Stock as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery if the Merger is consummated, but only if they submit a written demand for such an appraisal to MeridianLink before the vote on the Merger Proposal and comply with the other Delaware law procedures explained in the accompanying proxy statement. A proxy that is submitted and does not contain voting instructions will, unless revoked, be voted in favor of the Merger, and it will constitute a waiver of the stockholder’s right of appraisal and will nullify any previously delivered written demand for appraisal.

Whether or not you plan to attend the Special Meeting, please submit your proxy as soon as possible, whether over the Internet, by telephone or by completing, signing and returning the enclosed proxy card by mail in the prepaid reply envelope. You may revoke your proxy or change your vote before it is voted at the Special Meeting.

If your Company Common Stock is held in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee, you should instruct your bank, broker or other nominee how to vote your Company Common Stock in accordance with the voting instruction form provided to you by your bank, broker or other nominee. Your broker or other agent cannot vote on any of the proposals, including the Merger Proposal, without your instructions.

If your Company Common Stock is registered directly in your name, voting electronically at the Special Meeting will revoke any proxy that you previously submitted. If you hold your Company Common Stock through a bank, broker or other nominee and do not have a 16-digit control number, you must obtain a “legal proxy” in order to vote virtually or by proxy at the Special Meeting.

If you fail to (i) return your proxy card, (ii) grant your proxy electronically over the Internet or by telephone or (iii) vote by virtual ballot at the Special Meeting, your Company Common Stock will not be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the Special Meeting, and if a quorum is present, will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the Merger Proposal.

We encourage you to read the accompanying proxy statement, including all documents incorporated by reference into the accompanying proxy statement, and its annexes, carefully and in their entirety. If you have any questions concerning the Transactions, the Special Meeting or the accompanying proxy statement, would like additional copies of the accompanying proxy statement or require assistance in submitting your proxy or voting your Company Common Stock, please contact our proxy solicitor by using the contact information provided below:

The following questions and answers address some commonly asked questions regarding the Special Meeting, the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Merger (together, the “Transactions”). Please refer to the “Summary” beginning on page 11 of this proxy statement and the more detailed information contained elsewhere in this proxy statement, the annexes to this proxy statement and the documents incorporated by reference or referred to in this proxy statement, which you should read carefully and in their entirety.

Except as otherwise specifically noted in this proxy statement or as the context otherwise requires, “MeridianLink,” “we,” “our,” “us,” the “Company” and similar words in this proxy statement refer to MeridianLink, Inc. Throughout this proxy statement, we refer to ML Holdco, LLC as “ML Holdco” or “Parent,” and ML Merger Sub, Inc. as “Merger Sub.” In addition, throughout this proxy statement, we refer to: (i) the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 11, 2025, as it may be amended, restated and/or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms, by and among ML Holdco, Merger Sub and MeridianLink, as the “Merger Agreement”; (ii) the merger of Merger Sub with and into MeridianLink, with MeridianLink surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of ML Holdco, as the “Merger”; (iii) shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, as the “Company Common Stock”; (iv) the holders of Company Common Stock as the “Company Stockholders”; and (v) the special meeting of Company Stockholders described in this proxy statement, including any adjournments or postponements thereof, as the “Special Meeting”. Unless indicated otherwise, any other capitalized term used herein but not otherwise defined herein has the meaning assigned to such term in the Merger Agreement.

This proxy statement, and the documents to which we refer you in this proxy statement, as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by us or on our behalf, contain “forward-looking statements” that do not directly or exclusively relate to historical facts. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this proxy statement, including statements regarding the closing of the proposed Merger, including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans, and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can usually be identified by the use of terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “can,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “evolve,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “looking ahead,” “may,” “might,” “opinion,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” the negative of these words and other similar words or expressions. Stockholders are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements, such as statements about the consummation of the proposed Merger and the anticipated benefits thereof, are not guarantees of future performance and may involve significant risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may vary materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks detailed in our filings with the SEC, including in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, factors and matters described or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement, and the following factors:

Consequently, there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by such forward-looking statements will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, MeridianLink or its businesses or operations. No assurance can be given that these are all of the factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from the forward-looking statements. The foregoing review of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events to differ from expectations should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with statements that are included in this proxy statement and elsewhere, including the risk factors included in MeridianLink’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, factors and matters described or incorporated by reference in this proxy statement, and other reports filed with the SEC.

Forward-looking statements made in this proxy statement speak only as of the date on which they were made and are based on management’s current beliefs, as well as assumptions made by, and the information currently available to, MeridianLink, all of which are subject to change. MeridianLink can give no assurance that the conditions to the Merger will be satisfied. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. MeridianLink undertakes no obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update, alter or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law. If MeridianLink does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

We are a leading vertical SaaS provider of secure, cloud-based software solutions for financial institutions, including banks, credit unions, mortgage lenders, specialty lending providers, and credit reporting agencies. Financial institutions turn to MeridianLink to empower their digital transformation as they seek to transition business models, create new revenue streams, and increase client engagement. In addition to providing business results, our mission-critical digital lending software solutions enable our customers to create a superior consumer experience that wins in an increasingly digital market. Consumers’ financial needs are evolving, and our platform is designed to create personalized, automated solutions, which improve client acquisition and retention for our customers. Our solutions also allow our customers to operate more efficiently by enabling automated loan decisioning and enhanced risk management, saving resources that can be re-allocated to best serving their clients’ needs.

Our digital solutions are designed to be highly configurable, scalable, and adaptable to the specific strategies of our customers. We design and develop our solutions with an open platform approach intended to provide comprehensive integration among our solution offerings and our customers’ internal systems and third-party systems. Our multi-product platform, MeridianLink One, paired with the strategic guidance from our consultants, empowers our customers’ digital transformation. We deliver our solutions to most of our customers using a SaaS model under which our customers pay subscription fees for the use of our solutions as well as fees for transactions processed using our solutions and typically have multi-year contracts with an initial term of three years or more.

We are a Delaware corporation with our principal executive offices located at 1 Venture, Suite 235, Irvine, California, and our telephone number at that address is (714) 708-6950. Our website address is www.meridianlink.com. The information provided on, or that can be accessed through, our website does not constitute part of this proxy statement and is not incorporated in this proxy statement by reference here or by any other reference to its website provided in this proxy statement. Company Common Stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol “MLNK.” Additional information about MeridianLink is contained in certain of its public filings that are incorporated by reference into this proxy statement. See “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 101 of this proxy statement.

ML Holdco, LLC is a Delaware limited liability company and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of ML Midco, LLC, with a registered office located at 850 New Burton Road, Suite 201, Dover, Delaware 19904. ML Holdco, LLC is a holding company and does not conduct any operations.

Merger Sub is a Delaware corporation and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of ML Holdco, LLC, with a registered office located at 850 New Burton Road, Suite 201, Dover, Delaware 19904. Merger Sub was formed solely for the purpose of effecting the Merger and the Transactions. Upon completion of the Merger, Merger Sub will cease to exist.

We are furnishing this proxy statement to Company Stockholders as part of the solicitation of proxies by the Board for use at the Special Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

This proxy statement is being furnished to Company Stockholders as part of the solicitation of proxies by the Board for use at the Special Meeting to be held virtually on October 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., Pacific Time. Company Stockholders will be able to virtually attend and vote at the Special Meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/MLNK2025SM.

Company Common Stock held directly in your name as a stockholder of record may be voted at the Special Meeting via the Special Meeting website. Shares held in “street name” may be voted at the Special Meeting via the Special Meeting website using the 16-digit control number included in your proxy materials. If you did not receive a 16-digit control and wish to vote at the Special Meeting, you should follow the instructions from your bank, broker or other nominee, including any requirement to obtain a legal proxy.

At the Special Meeting, we will ask the Company Stockholders as of the Record Date to vote on the Merger Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal. If Company Stockholders fail to adopt the Merger Agreement by approving the Merger Proposal, the Merger will not occur. A copy of the Merger Agreement is attached to this proxy statement as Annex A and incorporated herein by reference, and the material provisions of the Merger Agreement are described under “The Merger Agreement” beginning on page 72 of this proxy statement.

This proxy statement and the enclosed form of proxy are first being mailed to stockholders on or about September 22, 2025.

Only stockholders of record of MeridianLink as of the close of business on September 9, 2025, the Record Date for the Special Meeting, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Special Meeting or at any adjournments or postponements thereof. A list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Special Meeting will be available for inspection by Company Stockholders for any legally valid purpose germane to the Special Meeting in our offices located at MeridianLink, Inc., 1 Venture, Suite 235, Irvine, California 92618, during regular business hours for a period of at least ten (10) days before the Special Meeting. The list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the Special Meeting.

As of the Record Date, there were 73,874,652 shares of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding and entitled to be voted at the Special Meeting.

A quorum of Company Stockholders is necessary to transact business at the Special Meeting. Our Bylaws provide that the presence at the Special Meeting, in person or by proxy, of holders of a majority of our outstanding Company Common Stock entitled to vote at the Special Meeting will constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum, the Special Meeting may be adjourned either by the presiding officer of the Special Meeting or by Company Stockholders representing a majority of the voting power present virtually or represented by proxy at the Special Meeting. If you fail to return your proxy card, grant your proxy electronically over the Internet or by telephone or attend the Special Meeting, your Company Common Stock will not be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the Special Meeting. Company Common Stock represented by proxies received but marked “ABSTAIN” will be included in the calculation of the number of Company Common Stock considered to be present at the Special Meeting for purposes of determining a quorum. If a beneficial owner of Company Common Stock held in “street name” gives voting instructions to the bank, broker or other nominee with respect to at least one of the proposals, but gives no instruction as to one or more of the other proposals, then those Company Common Stock will be deemed present at the Special Meeting and for purposes of establishing a quorum at the Special Meeting, will be voted as instructed with respect to any proposal as to which instructions were given, and will not be voted with respect to any other proposal.

In the event that a quorum is not present at the Special Meeting, it is expected that the meeting would be adjourned to a later date to solicit additional proxies, and a quorum will have to be established at such adjourned date.

Each share of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding as of the close of business on the Record Date is entitled to one vote at the Special Meeting.

Approval of the Merger Proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Company Common Stock entitled to vote thereon as of the close of business on the Record Date. Adoption of the Merger Agreement by Company Stockholders is a condition to the Closing. A failure to vote your Company Common Stock or an abstention from voting for the Merger Proposal will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the Merger Proposal. If you hold your Company Common Stock in “street name,” the failure to instruct your bank, broker or other nominee on how to vote your Company Common Stock on the Merger Proposal will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the Merger Proposal.

Approval of the Adjournment Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes properly cast for and against such proposal. A failure to vote your Company Common Stock will have no effect on the Adjournment Proposal. An abstention from voting for the Adjournment Proposal will have no effect on the Adjournment Proposal. If you hold your Company Common Stock in “street name,” the failure to instruct your bank, broker or other nominee on how to vote your Company Common Stock on the Adjournment Proposal will have no effect on the Adjournment Proposal.

We do not expect any broker non-votes at the Special Meeting because both the Merger Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal are non-routine matters on which your bank, broker or other nominee cannot vote without your instructions.

As of the close of business on the Record Date, directors and executive officers of MeridianLink and their affiliates beneficially owned and were entitled to vote, in the aggregate, 2,710,516 shares of Company Common Stock, which represented approximately 3.7% of the total voting power of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding on the Record Date.

You can vote at the virtual Special Meeting, which will be held on October 21, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., Pacific Time, at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/MLNK2025SM (unless the Special Meeting is adjourned or postponed).

You also may authorize the persons named as proxies on the proxy card to vote your shares by returning the proxy card in advance by mail, over the Internet or by telephone. Although MeridianLink offers multiple different voting methods, MeridianLink encourages you to vote over the Internet or by phone as MeridianLink believes they are the most cost-effective methods. We also recommend that you vote as soon as possible, even if you are planning to attend the Special Meeting, so that the vote count will not be delayed.

To ensure that your Company Common Stock is voted at the Special Meeting, we recommend that you submit your proxy or provide voting instructions for your Company Common Stock held in “street name” to your bank, broker or other nominee promptly, even if you plan to attend the Special Meeting.

If you are a stockholder of record and your Company Common Stock is registered in your name with our registrar and transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., you may submit your proxy using one of the methods described below.

Submit a Proxy by Telephone or via the Internet. This proxy statement is accompanied by a proxy card with instructions for submitting a proxy. You can grant a proxy by telephone by calling the toll-free number 1-800-690-6903 or via the Internet by following the instructions specified on the enclosed proxy card. Votes submitted by telephone or via the Internet for the matters brought before the Special Meeting as described in this proxy statement must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time on October 20, 2025, the day preceding the Special Meeting. Your Company Common Stock will

be voted as you direct, and in the same manner as if you had completed, signed, dated and returned your proxy card, as described below. You must have the enclosed proxy card available, and follow the instructions on the proxy card, in order to submit a proxy electronically over the Internet or by telephone.

Submit a Proxy Card. If you complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card by mail so that it is received prior to 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time on October 20, 2025, the day preceding the Special Meeting, your Company Common Stock will be voted in the manner directed by you on your proxy card.

Voting instructions are included on your proxy card. All Company Common Stock represented by properly executed proxies received in time for the Special Meeting will be voted at the Special Meeting in accordance with the instructions of the stockholder. If you sign, date and return your proxy card without indicating how you wish to vote, such Company Common Stock represented by your properly signed proxy card will be voted “FOR” each of the Merger Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal. If you fail to return your proxy card, grant your proxy electronically over the Internet or by telephone or attend the Special Meeting, your Company Common Stock will not be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the Special Meeting, and your failure to vote will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the Merger Proposal and will have no effect on the Adjournment Proposal.

If your Company Common Stock is held in “street name” through a bank, broker or other nominee, your bank, broker or other nominee will send you instructions as to how to provide voting instructions for your Company Common Stock. You may cause your Company Common Stock to be voted through your bank, broker or other nominee by completing and returning the voting form provided by your bank, broker or other nominee, or by the Internet or telephone through your bank, broker or other nominee by following the instructions provided to you by them if such a service is available, or by attending the Special Meeting and voting using your control number, or, if you did not obtain a control number, by contacting your bank, broker or other nominee to obtain a control number so that you may vote.

Under applicable stock exchange rules, banks, brokers or other nominees have the discretion to vote your Company Common Stock on “routine” matters if you fail to instruct your bank, broker or other nominee on how to vote your Company Common Stock with respect to such matters. A so-called “broker non-vote” results when banks, brokers and other nominees return a valid proxy voting upon a matter or matters for which the applicable rules provide discretionary authority but do not vote on a particular proposal because they do not have discretionary authority to vote on the matter and have not received specific voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the relevant shares. The Merger Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal described in this proxy statement are all “non-routine” matters, and your bank, broker or other nominee therefore cannot vote on these proposals without your instructions. Accordingly, if you do not return your bank’s, broker’s or other nominee’s voting form, do not provide voting instructions via the Internet or telephone through your bank, broker or other nominee, if applicable, or do not attend the Special Meeting and vote virtually with a “legal proxy” from your bank, broker or other nominee, your Company Common Stock will not be considered present at the Special Meeting for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the Special Meeting, and your failure to vote will have the same effect as if you voted “AGAINST” the Merger Proposal. However, if a beneficial owner of Company Common Stock held in “street” name gives voting instructions to the bank, broker or other nominee with respect to one of the proposals, but gives no instruction as to the other proposal, then those shares will be deemed present at the Special Meeting for purposes of establishing a quorum at the Special Meeting, will be voted as instructed with respect to any proposal as to which instructions were given, and will not be voted with respect to any other proposal. For Company Common Stock held in “street name,” only Company Common Stock affirmatively voted “FOR” the Merger Proposal or the Adjournment Proposal will be counted as a vote in favor of such proposal.

Any person giving a proxy pursuant to this solicitation has the power to revoke and change it any time before it is voted at the Special Meeting. If you are a stockholder of record, you may change your vote or revoke your proxy at any time before the final vote at the Special Meeting by:

Please note, however, that only your last-dated proxy will count. Attending the Special Meeting without taking one of the actions described above will not in itself revoke your proxy. Please note that if you want to revoke your proxy by mailing a new proxy card to MeridianLink or by sending a written notice of revocation to MeridianLink, you should ensure that you send your new proxy card or written notice of revocation in sufficient time for it to be received by MeridianLink before the Special Meeting.

If you hold your Company Common Stock in “street name,” you should contact your bank, broker or other nominee for instructions regarding how to change your vote or submit new voting instructions. You may also vote virtually at the Special Meeting with your control number, or, if you did not obtain a control number, by contacting your bank, broker or other nominee to obtain instructions on how to vote. Any adjournment or postponement of the Special Meeting for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies will allow Company Stockholders who have already sent in their proxies to revoke them at any time prior to their use at the Special Meeting, as adjourned or postponed.

An abstention occurs when a stockholder attends a meeting, either virtually or by proxy, but abstains from voting. Abstentions will be included in the calculation of the number of Company Common Stock represented at the Special Meeting for purposes of determining whether a quorum has been achieved. Abstaining from voting will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the Merger Proposal and no effect on the Adjournment Proposal.

Although it is not currently expected, subject to certain restrictions in the Merger Agreement, the Special Meeting may be adjourned or postponed, among other reasons, for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies. The Board of Directors may postpone or reschedule any previously scheduled special meeting of stockholders. The presiding officer of the Special Meeting may adjourn the meeting if (i) no quorum is present for the transaction of business, (ii) the Board determines that adjournment is necessary or appropriate to enable the stockholders to consider fully information which the Board determines has not been made sufficiently or timely available to stockholders, or (iii) the Board determines that adjournment is otherwise in the best interests of MeridianLink. If less than a quorum is present at the Special Meeting, (i) the holders of voting stock representing a majority of the voting power present at the Special Meeting or (ii) the presiding officer may adjourn the Special Meeting.

If the Special Meeting is adjourned to another hour, date or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting other than an announcement at the Special Meeting of the hour, date and place, if any, to which the Special Meeting is adjourned and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present and vote at such adjourned meeting; provided, however, that if the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days from the date of the Special Meeting, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, notice of the adjourned meeting and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present and vote at such adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting. If the Special Meeting is adjourned or postponed to solicit additional proxies, stockholders who have already submitted their proxies will be able to revoke them at any time prior to their use at the Special Meeting, as adjourned or postponed.

In the event that there is present at the Special Meeting, virtually or by proxy, sufficient favorable voting power to secure the vote of the Company Stockholders necessary to adopt the Merger Agreement, we do not currently anticipate that we will adjourn or postpone the Special Meeting.

The Board, after considering the various factors more fully described under “The Merger—Recommendation of the MeridianLink Board of Directors and Reasons for the Merger” beginning on page 41 of this proxy statement, unanimously (i) determined that the Merger Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, are in the best interests of MeridianLink and the Company Stockholders, and declared it advisable to enter into the Merger Agreement, (ii) approved the execution, delivery and performance of the Merger Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger, and (iii) resolved to recommend that Company Stockholders adopt the Merger Agreement and direct that such matter be submitted for consideration of the Company Stockholders at the Special Meeting (the matters described in clauses (i) through (iii), the “Board Recommendation”).

The Board unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the Merger Proposal and “FOR” the Adjournment Proposal.

The Board is soliciting your proxy, and we will bear the cost of the solicitation of proxies.

We have retained Innisfree, a proxy solicitation firm, to solicit proxies in connection with the Special Meeting at a cost of approximately $30,000 plus expenses. We will also indemnify the proxy solicitor against losses arising out of its provisions of these services on our behalf. In addition, we may reimburse banks, brokers and other nominees representing beneficial owners of Company Common Stock for their expenses in forwarding soliciting materials to such beneficial owners. Proxies may also be solicited by our directors, officers and employees, personally or by telephone, email, over the Internet or other means of communication. No additional compensation will be paid for such services.

We currently anticipate that the Merger will be consummated in the second half of 2025, assuming satisfaction or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, waiver of all of the conditions to the Merger. However, the Merger is subject to various conditions, and it is possible, including as a result of factors outside the control of MeridianLink and ML Holdco, that the Merger will be consummated at a later time or not at all.

If the Merger is consummated, stockholders who do not wish to accept the applicable Merger Consideration are entitled to seek appraisal of their Company Common Stock under Section 262 of the DGCL and, if all procedures described in Section 262 of the DGCL are strictly complied with, to receive payment in cash for the fair value of their Company Common Stock exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the Merger, as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery, together with interest, if any, to be paid upon the amount determined to be the fair value. The “fair value” of Company Common Stock as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery may be more or less than, or the same as, the consideration that such holder of Company Common Stock may receive in the Merger. These rights are known as “appraisal rights”. This proxy statement serves as a notice of such appraisal rights pursuant to Section 262 of the DGCL.

Persons who exercise appraisal rights under Section 262 of the DGCL will not receive the consideration that they would otherwise be entitled to receive pursuant to the Merger Agreement. They will receive an amount determined to be the “fair value” of their Company Common Stock following petition to, and an appraisal by, the Delaware Court of Chancery. Persons considering seeking appraisal of their Company Common Stock should recognize that the fair value of their Company Common Stock determined under Section 262 of the DGCL could be more than, the same as or less than the consideration they would otherwise be entitled to receive pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Strict compliance with the procedures set forth in Section 262 of the DGCL is required. Failure to comply strictly with all of the procedures set forth in Section 262 of the DGCL will result in the loss or waiver of appraisal rights. Consequently, and in view of the complexity of the provisions of Section 262 of the DGCL, persons wishing to exercise appraisal rights are urged to consult their legal and financial advisors before attempting to exercise such rights.

A holder of record of Company Common Stock and a beneficial owner who (i) continuously holds or beneficially owns, as applicable, such shares through the Effective Time, (ii) has not consented to the Merger in

writing, voted in favor of the Merger or otherwise withdrawn, lost or waived appraisal rights, (iii) strictly complies with the procedures under Section 262 of the DGCL, (iv) does not thereafter withdraw his, her or its demand for appraisal of such shares and (v) in the case of a beneficial owner, is a person who (A) reasonably identifies in his, her or its demand the holder of record of the shares for which the demand is made, (B) provides documentary evidence of such beneficial owner’s beneficial ownership and a statement that such documentary evidence is a true and correct copy of what it purports to be and (C) provides an address at which such beneficial owner consents to receive notices given by MeridianLink and to be set forth on the Chancery List (as defined in the section entitled “The Merger—Appraisal Rights” beginning on page 62 of this proxy statement), will be entitled to receive the fair value of his, her or its Company Common Stock exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the Merger, as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery, together with interest, if any, to be paid upon the amount determined to be the fair value.

A copy of Section 262 of the DGCL may be accessed without subscription or cost at the following publicly available website: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title8/c001/sc09/index.html#262. The foregoing summary is not a complete statement of the law relating to appraisal rights and is qualified in its entirety by reference to Section 262 and any amendments thereto after the date of this proxy statement. Any person who desires to exercise his, her or its appraisal rights should review carefully Section 262 and is urged to consult his, her or its legal advisor before electing or attempting to exercise such rights. To the extent there are any inconsistencies between the foregoing summary, on the one hand, and Section 262, on the other hand, Section 262 will govern. For more information, please see the section entitled “The Merger—Appraisal Rights” beginning on page 62 of this proxy statement.

Unless we have received contrary instructions, we or your bank, broker or other intermediary may send a single copy of this proxy statement to any household at which two or more stockholders reside if we believe the stockholders are members of the same family. Each stockholder in the household will continue to receive a separate proxy card, unless contrary instructions have been received from you. This process, known as “householding,” is designed to reduce the environmental impact of stockholder meetings, as well as printing and postage costs and the volume of duplicate information received at your household, and helps to reduce our expenses.

We will promptly deliver a separate copy of our proxy statement to any stockholder without charge upon request to our Corporate Secretary at MeridianLink, Inc., 1 Venture, Suite 235, Irvine, California 92618, or by email to InvestorRelations@meridianlink.com. Company Stockholders sharing an address that are receiving multiple copies of this proxy statement can request delivery of a single copy of the proxy materials by contacting their bank, broker or other intermediary or sending a written request to us at the address above.

If you have more questions about the Merger or how to submit your proxy, or if you need additional copies of this proxy statement or the enclosed proxy card or voting instructions, please contact our proxy solicitor:

If your bank, broker or other nominee holds your Company Common Stock, you should also call your bank, broker or other nominee for additional information.

This discussion of the Merger does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement, which is attached to this proxy statement as Annex A and incorporated by reference into this proxy statement. You should read the entire Merger Agreement carefully as it is the legal document that governs the Merger.

If the Merger Agreement is adopted by the Company Stockholders and the other conditions to the Closing are either satisfied or waived, Merger Sub will be merged with and into MeridianLink, with MeridianLink continuing as the Surviving Corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of ML Holdco.

The Company Common Stock are listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol “MLNK.” As a result of the Merger, MeridianLink will cease to be a publicly traded company and will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of ML Holdco. We will cooperate with ML Holdco to delist the Company Common Stock from the NYSE and deregister the Company Common Stock under the Exchange Act following the Effective Time. Upon such delisting and deregistration, we will no longer be a publicly traded company and will no longer be required to file periodic reports with the SEC, in each case in accordance with applicable law, rules and regulations. If the Merger is consummated, you will not own any shares of the capital stock of either the Surviving Corporation or ML Holdco.

If the Merger Agreement is not adopted by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Company Common Stock entitled to vote as of the Record Date or if the Merger is not consummated for any other reason, Company Stockholders will not receive any payment for their Company Common Stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Instead, MeridianLink will remain a public company, the Company Common Stock will continue to be listed and traded on the NYSE and registered under the Exchange Act, and we will continue to file periodic reports with the SEC.

Furthermore, if the Merger is not consummated, depending on the circumstances that caused the Merger not to be consummated, the price of the Company Common Stock may decline significantly. If that were to occur, it is uncertain when, if ever, the price of the Company Common Stock would return to the price at which the Company Common Stock traded on August 8, 2025, the last day of trading prior to the public announcement of the execution of the Merger Agreement, or as of the date of this proxy statement.

Accordingly, if the Merger is not consummated, there can be no assurance as to the effect of these risks and opportunities on the future value of your Company Common Stock. If the Merger is not consummated, the Board will continue to evaluate and review our business, operations, assets, operating results, financial condition, prospects and business strategy, among other things, and make such changes as are deemed appropriate and continue to seek to enhance stockholder value. If the Merger Agreement is not adopted by the Company Stockholders or if the Merger is not consummated for any other reason, there can be no assurance that any other transaction acceptable to MeridianLink will be offered or that our business, prospects or results of operations will not be adversely impacted.

In addition, upon termination of the Merger Agreement, under specified circumstances, MeridianLink may be required to pay ML Holdco a termination fee, as described under the section titled “The Merger Agreement—Termination Fee” beginning on page 91 of this proxy statement.

At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of ML Holdco, Merger Sub, MeridianLink or any holder of Company Common Stock, each share of Company Common Stock (other than Excluded Shares and Appraisal Shares) will be automatically canceled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to $20.00, without interest. At the Effective Time, all Company Common Stock will cease to be outstanding, will automatically be cancelled and will cease to exist, and each certificate (a “Company Stock Certificate”) formerly representing any of such shares (other than Excluded Shares or Appraisal Shares) and each non-certificated share represented by book entry (a “Book Entry Share”) (other than Excluded Shares or Appraisal Shares) will thereafter represent only the right to receive the Merger Consideration, without interest, to be paid upon surrender of such Company Stock Certificate or Book Entry Share.

At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of ML Holdco, Merger Sub, MeridianLink or any holder of Company Common Stock, each Excluded Share will, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, cease to be outstanding, will be cancelled without payment of any consideration therefor and will cease to exist.

At the Effective Time, each share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will automatically be converted into one share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Surviving Corporation.

Notwithstanding anything in the Merger Agreement to the contrary, each of the Surviving Corporation, ML Holdco and Merger Sub and their respective affiliates and agents will be entitled to deduct and withhold (or cause the paying agent to deduct and withhold) from any cash amounts payable pursuant to the Merger Agreement to any holder of Company Common Stock, In-the-Money MeridianLink Options or Vested MeridianLink RSUs, taxes as it is required by applicable law to deduct and withhold. ML Holdco will use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with MeridianLink and such holders to obtain any affidavits, certificates and other documents as may reasonably be expected to afford to MeridianLink and such holders reduction of or relief from any such deduction or withholding. To the extent that any taxes are so deducted or withheld and timely paid over to the appropriate governmental entity, such deducted and withheld taxes will be treated for purposes of the Merger Agreement as having been paid to the holder of Company Common Stock or MeridianLink equity awards, as applicable, in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made.

The following chronology summarizes the negotiations, material contacts and other material events that led to the signing of the Merger Agreement. The following chronology does not purport to catalogue every conversation among the Board, the Transaction Committee or the representatives of MeridianLink, Centerbridge and other parties.

As part of MeridianLink’s ongoing consideration and evaluation of its long-term strategic goals and plans, the Board and MeridianLink’s management have periodically reviewed, considered and assessed MeridianLink’s business, operations, financial performance and prospects, as well as overall industry conditions, as factors that may affect those strategic goals and plans. This review at times has included, among other things, the consideration of potential opportunities for business combinations, acquisitions and other financial and strategic alternatives to enhance stockholder value.

In September 2023, the Board commenced a strategic alternatives review process (the “Fall 2023 Process”) after the Company earlier that month received two separate verbal indications of interest regarding a potential acquisition of the Company, which did not propose any price terms, from a financial sponsor (“Sponsor A”), as well as from two other financial sponsors acting as a consortium (“Sponsor B” and “Sponsor C”).

In late September 2023, the Board formed an ad hoc transaction committee for convenience (and not because of any actual or perceived conflicts of interests) with the Fall 2023 Process. The transaction committee discussed and authorized continued engagement with counterparties to explore a strategic transaction, including the entry into confidentiality agreements and due diligence review.

On September 28, 2023, the Company contacted a fourth financial sponsor (“Sponsor D”), as well as three strategic companies (“Strategic 1”, “Strategic 2” and “Strategic 3”) to gauge each party’s interest in evaluating a potential strategic transaction with the Company. Strategic 3 declined to enter into a confidentiality agreement and declined to evaluate a transaction shortly after the Company’s outreach.

On September 29, 2023, the Company entered into a confidentiality agreement with Strategic 1, which included a “standstill” provision that expired 18 months after the date of the agreement, permitted Strategic 1 to make confidential proposals to the Board, and did not contain a “don’t ask, don’t waive” provision.

On October 5, 2023, the Company entered into a confidentiality agreement with Strategic 2, which included a “standstill” provision that expired 12 months after the date of the agreement, permitted Strategic 2 to make confidential proposals to the Board, and did not contain a “don’t ask, don’t waive” provision. In late October 2023, Strategic 2 declined to further evaluate a potential transaction after engaging in a limited amount of due diligence.

In October 2023, the Company engaged Centerview Partners LLC (“Centerview”) and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (“JPM”) as its co-financial advisors.

During October and November 2023, and with Centerview and JPM’s assistance the Company continued to engage with Sponsor A, as well as the consortium comprised of Sponsor B and Sponsor C, each of which entered into a confidentiality agreement with the Company and engaged in due diligence. Each such confidentiality agreement included a “standstill” provision that expired 12 months after the date of the agreement, permitted the respective counterparty to make confidential proposals to the Board, and did not contain a “don’t ask, don’t waive” provision.

During the first half of November 2023, each of the other parties in the Fall 2023 Process—Sponsor A, the consortium consisting of Sponsor B and Sponsor C, Sponsor D and Strategic 1—declined to further evaluate a potential transaction, and none of those parties submitted an acquisition proposal in the Fall 2023 Process. The parties generally cited similar reasons for their withdrawals from the process, including the relative complexity of MeridianLink’s SaaS model and growth algorithm, as well as the overall interest rate environment, which saw a series of interest rate increases that raised federal funds to the highest level in over two decades, remaining high through year end amid moderating inflation.

On November 11, 2023, the Board discontinued the Fall 2023 Process and dissolved the then-existing transaction committee as a result of these withdrawals.

During 2024 and the first half of 2025, representatives of the Company from time to time discussed the potential acquisition of the Company with representatives of financial sponsor firms and strategic companies in the ordinary course (collectively, the “2024-25 Interactions”), including with a financial sponsor (“Sponsor E”) in July, September and October 2024; with a financial sponsor (“Sponsor F”) in August 2024; with a financial sponsor (“Sponsor G”) in August 2024; with a financial sponsor (“Sponsor H”) in August and December 2024; with Sponsor D and one of its portfolio companies in October 2024; with a strategic company (“Strategic 4”) in December 2024; with Sponsor B in March and June 2025; with a financial sponsor (“Sponsor I”) in March 2025; with a financial sponsor (“Sponsor J”) in March and June 2025; with a strategic company (“Strategic 5”) in April and June 2025; with a strategic company (“Strategic 6”) in May 2025; with a financial sponsor (“Sponsor K”) in May 2025 and on two occasions in June 2025; with a financial sponsor (“Sponsor L”) in June 2025; and with Strategic 2 in June 2025. No acquisition proposals were made in connection with these interactions, and none of those parties requested to proceed to formal transaction discussions, confidentiality agreements or due diligence (except with respect to Sponsor B and Sponsor K as described below). The members of MeridianLink’s management reported to and discussed all of the 2024-25 Interactions with the Board.

In September 2024, a strategic company (“Strategic 7”) met several times informally with Mr. Nicolaas Vlok, MeridianLink’s chief executive officer, and expressed interest in exploring how the two parties could develop a more strategic relationship.

During September, October and early November 2024, the management of the two companies met occasionally to explore strategic opportunities, resulting in Strategic 7 expressing interest in a possible stock-for-stock combination structured as an acquisition of the Company by Strategic 7.

On November 18, 2024, the Company and Strategic 7 entered into a mutual confidentiality agreement, which included a mutual “standstill” provision that expired one year after the date of the agreement, permitted the respective counterparty to make confidential proposals to the other party, and did not contain a “don’t ask, don’t waive” provision. The Company and Strategic 7 continued to conduct mutual due diligence and management meetings until January 2025.

In January 2025, Strategic 7 determined to discontinue the potential transaction discussions with the Company, citing differences in strategic vision for the combined enterprise (the process with Strategic 7, the “Strategic 7 Process”).

On April 16, 2025, Mr. Jared Hendricks, a senior managing director at Centerbridge, spoke with Mr. Vlok, with respect to overall market conditions and potential impact on MeridianLink’s business, which was later followed by a meeting at Centerbridge’s offices on May 15, 2025 to discuss updates to market conditions since the initial outreach. These calls were part of a series of market update calls between representatives of MeridianLink and of Centerbridge that were conducted with the knowledge of the Board.

As part of JPM’s routine meetings with sponsors discussing companies in various sectors of interest, JPM and representatives of Centerbridge discussed potential opportunities with MeridianLink as a general matter, including an acquisition by Centerbridge of MeridianLink.

On June 10, 2025, a representative of Centerbridge reached out to Mr. A.J. Rohde, a member of MeridianLink’s Board, to express interest in exploring a potential strategic transaction pursuant to which Centerbridge would acquire all of the outstanding stock of MeridianLink.

On June 13, 2025, a representative of Centerbridge called Mr. Rohde and discussed Centerbridge’s perspective on a potential strategic transaction involving MeridianLink and Centerbridge. Mr. Rohde promptly reported this outreach to MeridianLink’s general counsel and other members of management.

On June 16, 2025, members of MeridianLink’s management discussed Centerbridge’s potential interest in a potential strategic transaction with Mr. Edward McDermott in his capacity as Chairman of the Board. Mr. McDermott expressed his support for continued engagement with Centerbridge.

On June 18, 2025, MeridianLink entered into a confidentiality agreement with Centerbridge to facilitate discussions regarding a potential strategic transaction, which included a “standstill” provision that expired 18 months after the date of the agreement, permitted Centerbridge to make confidential proposals to the Board, and did not contain a “don’t ask, don’t waive” provision.

Between June 24, 2025 and July 14, 2025, MeridianLink’s management provided diligence information of limited scope, as requested by Centerbridge; however, such diligence information did not include any financial projections.

On June 19, 2025, MeridianLink entered into a confidentiality agreement with Sponsor K, and on June 28, 2025, MeridianLink entered into a confidentiality agreement with Sponsor B to facilitate discussions regarding a potential strategic transaction. Both confidentiality agreements included a “standstill” provision that expired 12 months after the date of the agreement, permitted the counterparty to make confidential proposals to the Board, and did not contain a “don’t ask, don’t waive” provision. Following execution of the confidentiality agreements with each of Sponsor K and Sponsor B, neither party expressed further interest in pursuing a potential transaction with MeridianLink. Sponsor K cited the reason for not pursuing a potential transaction with MeridianLink was because Sponsor K was considering combining MeridianLink with another strategic company but ultimately decided not to pursue this further, and Sponsor B cited capital constraints as the reason for not pursuing a potential transaction with MeridianLink. Sponsor K received a MeridianLink management presentation and there was a corresponding meeting with Sponsor K. Sponsor B received access to written diligence information of limited scope.

On July 14, 2025, Centerbridge sent a letter to the Company containing a non-binding proposal to acquire all of the outstanding Company Common Stock for $19.25 per share of Company Common Stock in cash, subject to the completion of due diligence and the negotiation of a definitive agreement (the “July 14th Proposal”). The July 14th Proposal stated that Centerbridge would be prepared to work to seek to announce a transaction on August 11, 2025, concurrent with the Company’s earnings release for the second quarter of 2025. Centerbridge indicated that it intended to fund the aggregate consideration with a combination of debt and equity, including from third-party co-investors, and that debt commitments would be in place concurrently with the signing of the transaction. The July 14th Proposal additionally requested a period of exclusivity for four weeks from July 14, 2025.

On July 15, 2025, Centerbridge sent to the Company, for the Company’s approval under the confidentiality agreement, a list of proposed debt and equity financing sources that Centerbridge would like to involve in the transaction.

Also on July 15, 2025, representatives of Goodwin Procter LLP, outside counsel to MeridianLink (“Goodwin”), spoke with representatives of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, outside counsel to Centerbridge (“Kirkland”), to clarify certain aspects of the July 14th Proposal. The representatives of Kirkland indicated that Centerbridge would likely require debt financing to fund the merger consideration such that the merger agreement would need to provide that the Company’s specific performance rights to compel Centerbridge to close the transaction would be conditioned upon the availability of Centerbridge’s debt financing at closing (i.e., a “conditional specific performance model”). The representatives of Kirkland also indicated that Centerbridge would require that significant stockholders of the Company enter into customary support agreements to vote in favor of a transaction with Centerbridge.

Later on July 15, 2025, the Board held a meeting at which members of Company management as well as representatives of Goodwin were present. In light of the interest expressed by Centerbridge, Sponsor K and Sponsor B, the Board discussed the engagement of one or more financial advisors in connection with evaluating such interest. The Board determined that given, among other things, each of Centerview’s and JPM’s knowledge of the Company and its industry and their experience assisting the Company in the Fall 2023 Process, the Company should engage each of Centerview and JPM. At this meeting, Larry Katz, the President of MeridianLink, summarized the July 14th Proposal and the recent discussions with representatives of Centerbridge. Representatives from Goodwin reviewed the fiduciary duties and other legal considerations of the Board in the context of the Board’s consideration of an acquisition proposal. The meeting participants discussed potential responses to Centerbridge regarding the July 14th Proposal and related process considerations. Mr. Rohde conveyed on behalf of Thoma Bravo L.P. (“Thoma Bravo”) that (i) Thoma Bravo did not have any agreements, arrangements or understandings with Centerbridge or any other party with respect to a potential transaction involving the Company, and Mr. Rodhe confirmed that he had

previously summarized for management and Mr. McDermott, chair of the Company’s Board, the material discussions that he had had with entities expressing potential interest in an acquisition (i.e., certain of the 2024-25 Interactions), (ii) Thoma Bravo was not interested in acquiring MeridianLink, either alone or as part of a consortium, (iii) Thoma Bravo did not intend to seek differential treatment of some or all of its stake in a transaction relative to MeridianLink’s public stockholders, and did not intend to otherwise seek any non-ratable benefits in a potential transaction relative to MeridianLink’s public stockholders, and unless and until otherwise approved in advance by the Board, Thoma Bravo would not enter into discussions or negotiations with any potential buyer regarding differential treatment or non-ratable benefits for Thoma Bravo in a potential transaction, and (iv) Thoma Bravo did not have any need, financial or otherwise, to sell its stake in the Company at such time. The Board then formed an ad hoc transaction committee of the Board (the “Transaction Committee”), for convenience (and not because of any actual or perceived conflicts of interests), to manage day-to-day matters related to the consideration of the July 14th Proposal and other strategic alternatives that may be available to MeridianLink and to make recommendations to the Board regarding the advisability of entering into a potential sale transaction with Centerbridge or any other potential transaction counterparty, pursuing other strategic alternatives, or continuing to operate MeridianLink on a standalone basis. The Transaction Committee also was authorized by the Board to direct and supervise any outreach to additional potential transaction counterparties. The Board discussed Mr. Rohde’s participation on the Transaction Committee and Mr. Rohde’s and Mr. George Jaber’s (as members of the Board) involvement in deliberations generally with respect to a potential transaction given their affiliations with Thoma Bravo, and determined that such affiliations did not present a conflict of interest with respect to the consideration of a potential transaction in view of the affirmations made by Thoma Bravo earlier in the meeting. The Transaction Committee consisted of the following directors: Messrs. McDermott, Rohde and Mark Sachleben. At this meeting, the Board (i) authorized MeridianLink management to distribute the rules and guidelines for MeridianLink management in connection with a proposed transaction, which among other things, prohibited discussions or negotiations with Centerbridge with respect to equity participation or post-Closing employment unless and until instructed by the Board, (ii) authorized MeridianLink management and representatives of Goodwin to engage each of Centerview and JPM as financial advisors in connection with the Company’s consideration of the July 14th Proposal and other strategic alternatives, and (iii) gave consent for Centerbridge to involve the various debt and equity financing sources requested by representatives of Kirkland on behalf of Centerbridge earlier that day. The Board also discussed Centerbridge’s request for exclusivity and determined not to grant exclusivity at this time for tactical reasons as price and other key terms remained under negotiation. Finally, the Board determined to permit Centerbridge to continue its due diligence and to participate in management meetings over the course of the next several weeks and invited Centerbridge to provide a revised price proposal for a transaction on August 4, 2025. This messaging was subsequently conveyed to Centerbridge.

Following the meeting on July 15, 2025, representatives of Goodwin circulated a questionnaire to each of the members of the Board requesting relationships disclosures with respect to Centerbridge and Sponsor B, as well as to Thoma Bravo and Mr. Timothy Nguyen and his affiliated investment vehicles to accommodate the possibility (which had not been broached by Centerbridge) that a potential counterparty could propose treating significant Company Stockholders differently in a potential transaction and to disclose financial, professional and personal relationships with other members of the Board, including Messrs. McDermott, Rohde and Vlok. The responses to these questionnaires yielded no disabling actual or potential conflicts of interest, and the Board determined the same at its meeting on July 24, 2025. Some of the relationships disclosed were certain investments by members of the Board in investment funds managed by Thoma Bravo, which were not material to each of the Board members’ personal net worth. Mr. Vlok provided prior consulting work to a portfolio company of Centerbridge from 2018 to 2021.

Thereafter, Centerbridge sent lists of due diligence questions and requested additional due diligence items to MeridianLink, and Centerbridge, and its representatives participated in multiple meetings with senior management and representatives of MeridianLink (including on July 22, 2025) as part of Centerbridge’s due diligence process. On July 17, 2025, MeridianLink provided representatives of Centerbridge and its advisors with access to due diligence materials in a virtual data room.

On July 22, 2025, representatives of Centerview sent a relationship disclosure letter to Goodwin, which information was shared with the Board at the July 24, 2025 meeting. The Board did not identify in Centerview’s relationship disclosure any matter that would affect the ability of Centerview to fulfill its responsibilities as financial advisor to MeridianLink.

On July 24, 2025, the Board held a meeting at which members of Company management as well as representatives of each of Centerview and Goodwin were present. A discussion ensued about senior management’s long-range plan for MeridianLink on a standalone basis, including the related methodology, the underlying assumptions, MeridianLink’s preliminary financial results for the second quarter of 2025 and related risks, and the risk-adjusted financial projections for fiscal years 2025 through 2030, which was prepared by management in connection with the current consideration of a potential transaction (referred to as the “Projections” in the section of this proxy statement titled “—Certain Unaudited Prospective Financial Information”). The discussion also covered MeridianLink’s standalone prospects and the strategic, financial, operational and competitive challenges facing MeridianLink, including, the preliminary second quarter 2025 financial results, as well as the macroeconomic, political, regulatory, industry and market conditions impacting financial technology companies such as MeridianLink. Representatives of Centerview also reviewed with the Board certain public market perspectives regarding MeridianLink and its operation in the sector. Following discussion of these matters, the Board approved the Projections for use by Centerview in connection with providing its financial analysis with respect to the Board’s evaluation of a potential transaction and preparing any opinions as requested by the Board, and authorized MeridianLink’s management to share the Projections and the underlying assumptions thereof with Centerbridge for purposes of Centerbridge’s business due diligence. Afterward, the Board reviewed the interactions that the Company and/or its representatives have had with financial sponsors and strategic companies within the prior 24 months relating to a potential strategic transaction involving the Company, consisting of the Fall 2023 Process, the 2024-25 Interactions and the Strategic 7 Process, including that all these financial sponsors and strategic companies either withdrew from the processes or declined to express interest in pursuing a potential transaction. The Board discussed whether, in light of these prior interactions, it would be advisable for the Board to contact additional third parties prior to potentially entering into an exclusivity arrangement pursuant to the July 14th Proposal or definitive agreement with Centerbridge. Following discussion, the Board determined that the Company’s fundamental characteristics, performance and market valuation had not materially changed since the Fall 2023 Process, such that, notwithstanding the passage of time, the Board could reasonably rely upon the parties involved in, process pertaining to, and outcomes arising from, the Fall 2023 Process, combined with the 2024-25 Interactions and the Strategic 7 Process, as being instructive as to what conducting additional pre-signing outreach to potential counterparties would likely achieve. The Board also discussed mechanisms in lieu of conducting additional pre-signing outreach to potential counterparties beyond those already contacted in the Fall 2023 Process, the 2024-2025 Interactions and Strategic 7 Process, that would facilitate the ability of parties other than Centerbridge to propose a potential acquisition of the Company, including a post-signing “go-shop” construct and a lower-than-market Company termination fee in a transaction with Centerbridge in connection with the Board exercising its “fiduciary out” if there were an unsolicited proposal received after the signing of a definitive agreement with Centerbridge. In light of this discussion and the thoroughness of the Company’s “market check” conducted from Fall 2023 to the present, distraction of management, the potential for Centerbridge to withdraw its interest if it learned about the Company outreach or a definitive agreement was not executed with Centerbridge in the near term and the potential for leaks from further outreach to additional counterparties, the Board determined not to conduct additional outreach. Also at this meeting, representatives of Goodwin summarized the financial advisor relationship disclosures of Centerview and proposed engagement terms of each of Centerview and JPM. Following discussion of these matters, the Board authorized MeridianLink’s management to negotiate, finalize and execute engagement letters with each of Centerview and JPM, subject to receipt of JPM’s relationship disclosures, based on each of Centerview’s and JPM’s qualifications, reputation, independence and extensive expertise, including with respect to serving as a financial advisor to technology and SaaS companies in connection with potential strategic transactions. The engagement letter with Centerview was executed on July 24, 2025. Further, the Board approved a limited and conditional waiver of the potential application of certain anti-takeover provisions of MeridianLink’s charter to discussions involving Thoma Bravo, Messrs. Nguyen, Vlok and McDermott and/or any of their respective affiliates holding shares of Company Common Stock regarding a voting or tender and support agreement for a transaction requested by the Board and, solely in the case of Mr. Nguyen or such affiliates of his, potential differential treatment in a transaction including a potential “rollover”, so long as these discussions, understandings and agreements were subject to the entry by MeridianLink, with the approval of the Board, into a definitive merger agreement with Centerbridge.

Immediately following the meeting on July 24, 2025, and prior to the Board’s authorization of MeridianLink’s management to negotiate, finalize, and execute an engagement letter with JPM, JPM sent a relationship disclosure letter to representatives of Goodwin, which information was shared with the Board. The Board did not identify in JPM’s relationship disclosure any matter that would affect the ability of JPM to fulfill its responsibilities as financial advisor to MeridianLink.

On July 25, 2025, representatives of Goodwin provided an initial draft of the merger agreement and a summary of the terms of the merger agreement to the Transaction Committee and the Transaction Committee directed representatives of Goodwin to share the initial draft with Kirkland.

On July 26, 2025, representatives of Goodwin provided Kirkland with an initial draft of the merger agreement for the transaction, which included, among other things, (i) a transaction structure consisting of a cash tender offer followed immediately by a short-form merger pursuant to Section 251(h) of the DGCL, (ii) contemplation that certain supporting stockholders, including Thoma Bravo and Mr. Nguyen, who together hold more than 50% of the voting power of the Company, would enter into customary support agreements to vote in favor of the transaction, as representatives of Kirkland had indicated would be required by Centerbridge on July 15, 2025, (iii) a conditional specific performance model as discussed with representatives of Kirkland on July 15, 2025, (iv) accelerated vesting of all unvested Company equity awards at closing, (v) a go-shop provision to permit MeridianLink to solicit alternative proposals for a period of thirty (30) calendar days after the signing of the merger agreement and an additional twenty (20) calendar days for any “Excluded Party” that had provided an acquisition proposal prior to the expiry of the go-shop period which would reasonably be expected to lead to a “Superior Proposal”, and (vi) a termination fee equal to 3.0% of the aggregate equity value of the transaction payable by MeridianLink in customary circumstances, except with respect to the termination in accordance with the go-shop provision, in which event the termination fee would equal 1.0% of the aggregate equity value of the transaction.

On July 28, 2025, the engagement letter with JPM was executed, which provided that JPM would be entitled to receive a fee of $5 million upon the closing of the Merger in addition to reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses and indemnification for any liabilities incurred in connection with its engagement. JPM was not engaged to, and did not, render an opinion on fairness, from a financial point of view, of the Merger Consideration to be paid to the holders of Company Common Stock.

On July 30, 2025, representatives of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (“Skadden”), outside counsel to Thoma Bravo, sent an initial draft of a form of tender and support agreement to representatives of Goodwin, which provided for supporting stockholders to tender their respective Company Common Stock into the tender offer to be commenced by a subsidiary of Centerbridge and contained a termination of the support agreement if MeridianLink’s Board were to change its recommendation in favor of the Centerbridge transaction or if the merger agreement were to be terminated, among other things.

On July 31, 2025, the Board held a meeting at which members of Company management, as well as representatives of each of Centerview and Goodwin, were present. At this meeting, representatives of Centerview presented Centerview’s preliminary financial analysis of the Company. The meeting participants also discussed the status of diligence, the progress regarding equity financing sources requested by Centerbridge and overall next steps for the potential transaction.

On July 31, 2025, representatives of Goodwin provided representatives of Kirkland with the initial draft of the form of tender and support agreement, which provided for supporting stockholders to tender their respective Company Common Stock into the tender offer to be commenced by a subsidiary of Centerbridge and contained a termination of the support agreement if MeridianLink’s Board were to change its recommendation in favor of the Centerbridge transaction or if the merger agreement were to be terminated, among other things.

On August 1, 2025, representatives of Goodwin provided to representatives of Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, outside counsel to Mr. Timothy Nguyen (“BCLP”), the initial draft of the merger agreement and the initial form of tender and support agreement.

On August 3, 2025, the Transaction Committee held a meeting jointly with the Compensation Committee of the Company, at which members of Company management as well as representatives of Goodwin were present. The Transaction Committee reviewed an estimate of the Company’s third-party transaction expenses and approved that the aggregate estimate be shared with Centerbridge as requested by Centerbridge. Representatives of Goodwin then led the members of the Committees in a discussion about certain compensation-related issues broadly affecting the employee population in the merger agreement, including the potential adoption of enhanced severance for non-executive employees, the treatment of equity awards, and the potential adoption of transaction and/or retention bonus pools. Mr. Katz and Mr. Vlok were also invited to share views on these compensation-related issues in their capacities as the president and chief executive officer of the Company, respectively. The Committees further discussed and determined the Company’s initial position on these issues in executive session, in the absence of members of management, and authorized the Company and its advisors to relay such positions to Centerbridge.

On August 4, 2025, Centerbridge sent a letter to Messrs. Vlok and Katz, reiterating Centerbridge’s non-binding proposal to acquire all of the outstanding Company Common Stock for $19.25 per share of Company Common Stock, subject to the completion of due diligence and the negotiation of a definitive agreement, on terms substantially similar to the July 14th Proposal (the “August 4th Proposal”).

On August 4, 2025, representatives of Kirkland provided to representatives of Goodwin a markup of the merger agreement. Among other changes, the markup of the merger agreement (i) requested that the tender offer structure be pivoted to a “one-step” merger structure involving a Company stockholder meeting, (ii) removed accelerated vesting of Company RSUs and proposed that unvested Company RSUs be converted into cash replacement amounts equal to (a) the number of shares underlying such unvested Company RSUs multiplied by (b) the Merger Consideration, which amounts would vest and be paid out on the same vesting schedule as the underlying RSUs, subject to the holder’s continued service with MeridianLink or its subsidiaries through the vesting date, (iii) removed the go-shop provision entirely (and accordingly the bifurcated lower Company termination fee for a go-shop related termination), and (iv) proposed a Company termination fee equal to 3.0% of aggregate equity value payable under certain circumstances. Representatives of Kirkland also informed representatives of Goodwin that Centerbridge planned to obtain representation and warranty insurance with respect to the proposed transaction.

Also on August 4, 2025, representatives of Kirkland provided representatives of Goodwin with an initial draft of the equity commitment letter and an initial draft of the limited guarantee. From August 4, 2025, until the signing of the definitive agreements, the parties negotiated the final terms of the equity commitment letter and the limited guarantee.

On August 5, 2025, the Transaction Committee held a meeting at which members of Company management as well as representatives of each of Centerview and Goodwin were present. A discussion ensued about certain aspects of the drafts of the merger agreement and other ancillary documents received from Centerbridge, in particular the structure of the transaction, treatment of equity awards, termination fees, termination rights, removal of the go-shop provision, required regulatory efforts and financing terms proposed in the drafts. The discussion also covered potential responses to Centerbridge regarding the August 4th Proposal and related considerations with respect to the markup of the draft merger agreement. Following discussion, the Transaction Committee authorized representatives of Centerview and Mr. Rohde to communicate a counteroffer of $21.00 per share of Company Common Stock to Centerbridge among other negotiated terms, including reinstating the go-shop provision with a termination fee payable with respect to the go-shop provision by MeridianLink equal to 1.5% of the aggregate equity value of the transaction (and accepting the 3.0% termination fee in all other circumstances), accepting Centerbridge’s position on the conversion of unvested Company RSUs to cash awards, accepting Centerbridge’s proposal for a “one-step” merger and proposing certain employment matters with respect to severance for non-executive employees and a transaction bonus pool in the amount of $3,500,000 to $4,000,000 (the “August 5th Counterproposal”).

Following the Transaction Committee meeting, representatives of Centerview and Mr. Rohde communicated the August 5th Counterproposal to representatives of Centerbridge.

On August 6, 2025, the Board held a meeting at which all members of the Board, members of senior management of MeridianLink, as well as representatives of each of Centerview and Goodwin, were present. A discussion ensued about the August 4th Proposal and certain aspects of the drafts of the merger agreement and other ancillary documents received from Centerbridge. The discussion also covered outreach by representatives of Centerview and Mr. Rohde to representatives of Centerbridge with respect to the August 5th Counterproposal. Following discussions, the Board directed Goodwin to prepare a revised draft of the merger agreement and other ancillary documents and continue negotiating the terms thereof with Kirkland.

On August 6, 2025, representatives of Kirkland provided representatives of Goodwin, with a markup of the form of the voting and support agreement. Among other changes, the markup of the voting and support agreement, (i) requested that the tender offer mechanics be pivoted to a “one-step” transaction structure, (ii) removed the ability to terminate the support agreement if the merger agreement were terminated by the Company to accept a superior proposal, and (iii) solely for Thoma Bravo’s support agreement (and not Mr. Nguyen’s), provided that if the Board were to change its recommendation in favor of the Centerbridge transaction, then Thoma Bravo would still be bound to vote 35% of the Company’s total voting power in favor of the Centerbridge transaction. Goodwin shared this markup of the supporting agreement with Skadden.

On August 7, 2025, representatives of each of Goodwin, Skadden and BCLP discussed the terms of the voting and support agreement. Later that day, representatives of Goodwin provided representatives of Kirkland with a

markup of the voting and support agreement which (i) reinstated the ability to terminate the support agreement if the merger agreement were terminated by the Company to accept a superior proposal and (ii) reinstated Thoma Bravo’s ability to fully terminate the support agreement if the Board were to change its recommendation in favor of the Centerbridge transaction, and thus remove the provision that 35% of the Company’s total voting power held by Thoma Bravo would continue to be bound.

Also on August 7, 2025, representatives of Centerview received a telephone call from representatives of Centerbridge, who proposed (i) a best and final offer to acquire all of the outstanding Company Common Stock for $20.00 per share of Company Common Stock, (ii) removal of the go-shop provision, (iii) a Company termination fee equal to 3.0% of the aggregate equity value of the transaction, and (iv) general alignment with the employee-related terms proposed in the Company’s August 5th Counterproposal (the “August 7th Proposal”).

On August 8, 2025, the Transaction Committee held a meeting at which members of Company management, as well as representatives of each of Centerview and Goodwin, were present. A discussion ensued about the August 7th Proposal. The Transaction Committee discussed that it can ultimately accept a removal of the go-shop construct in light of the market check conducted to date through the Fall 2023 Process, the 2024-25 Interactions and the Strategic 7 Process, and in exchange for a lower Company termination fee equal to 2.9% of the aggregate equity value of the transaction. Following discussions, the Transaction Committee directed the Company and its advisors to counter-propose a price per share of $20.25, but to accept Centerbridge’s proposal of $20.00 per share of Company Common Stock if the $20.25 per share price was rejected. Representatives of the Company subsequently conveyed the $20.25 per share proposal to representatives of Centerbridge, who reaffirmed that $20.00 per share was Centerbridge’s last, best and final offer.

Also on August 8, 2025, representatives of Goodwin sent a revised draft of the merger agreement to representatives of Kirkland, which, among other things, reflected the proposed 2.9% Company termination fee and the removal of the go-shop construct.

On August 9, 2025, representatives of Kirkland provided to representatives of Goodwin initial drafts of the debt commitment letter and debt fee letter. From August 9, 2025 until the signing of the definitive agreements, the parties negotiated the final terms of the debt commitment letter and debt fee letter.

Also on August 9, 2025, representatives of Kirkland sent a revised draft of the merger agreement to representatives of Goodwin, which, among things, accepted the 2.9% Company termination fee.

Also on August 9, 2025, the Transaction Committee held a meeting at which members of Company management, as well as representatives of each of Centerview and Goodwin, were present. Representatives of Goodwin discussed the status of negotiations of the merger agreement and ancillary documents with Centerbridge.

Also on August 9, 2025, representatives of each of Goodwin and Kirkland finalized the terms of the merger agreement between MeridianLink and Centerbridge, as well as MeridianLink’s disclosure schedules thereto and the other ancillary agreements.

On August 10, 2025, the Transaction Committee, held a meeting at which all members of the Transaction Committee, as well as representatives of each of Centerview and Goodwin, were present. Representatives of Goodwin provided a status update regarding final negotiations of the merger agreement and other ancillary documents with Centerbridge. Prior to this meeting, representatives of Goodwin provided the Transaction Committee with substantially complete drafts of the Merger Agreement, form of Support Agreement, Equity Commitment Letter, Limited Guarantee (as defined below) and Debt Commitment Letter. At this meeting, the Transaction Committee unanimously adopted resolutions recommending to the Board that the Board (i) approve, adopt and declare advisable the Merger Agreement and the Transaction, including the Merger, (ii) determine that the Transactions, including the Merger, are in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, and (iii) recommend that the Company Stockholders adopt the Merger Agreement and direct that such matter be submitted for consideration of the stockholders of MeridianLink at the Stockholder Meeting.

Also on August 10, 2025, the Board held a meeting at which all members of the Board, all members of the Transaction Committee, as well as representatives of each of Centerview and Goodwin, were present. Representatives of Goodwin provided a status update regarding final negotiations of the Merger Agreement and other ancillary documents with Centerbridge. Prior to this meeting, representatives of Goodwin provided the Board with substantially complete drafts of the Merger Agreement, form of Support Agreement, Equity Commitment Letter, Limited Guarantee and Debt Commitment Letter. Representatives of Goodwin reviewed the fiduciary duties and

other legal considerations of the Board under Delaware law in reviewing the transaction and noted that MeridianLink’s directors recently completed their NYSE director and officer questionnaires in April 2025, with all directors other than Mr. Vlok and Mr. Katz determined to be independent from the Company. Further, as previously previewed by the Board, it was discussed that (i) Mr. Vlok holds Unvested MeridianLink RSUs that will accelerate and vest in full at the Effective Time if the Effective Time occurs on or after October 1, 2025 and prior to January 1, 2026, but which would be forfeited if the Effective Time does not occur (and the Company does not consummate any other sale transaction) prior to January 1, 2026, pursuant to the terms of his May 9, 2025 Transition Agreement with MeridianLink in connection with Mr. Vlok’s resignation from his position as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, as further described in the section titled “The Merger—Interests of the Directors and Executive Officers of MeridianLink in the Merger” and (ii) Mr. Katz will likely be asked to continue in a management position at MeridianLink post-Closing. The Board then unanimously approved the participation of Messrs. Vlok and Katz in the Board’s discussions regarding, and their voting upon, the Merger Agreement and the Transaction. Representatives of Goodwin then reviewed the final terms of the Merger Agreement, form of Support Agreement, Equity Commitment Letter, Limited Guarantee and Debt Commitment Letter. Representatives of Goodwin then discussed that the Transaction Committee had recommended that the Board approve the proposed transaction with Centerbridge, and detailed a number of reasons for the recommendation, including the extensive strategic review and sale processes conducted by the Board and its financial advisors to consider all potential transactions and alternatives since 2022, MeridianLink’s operating and financial condition and prospects on a standalone basis, and the consideration being offered in the proposed transaction, giving the Transaction Committee and the Board comfort that the process yielded the best price reasonably available. In addition, at the request of the Board, representatives of Centerview reviewed with the Board Centerview’s financial analysis of the Merger Consideration, and rendered to the Board an oral opinion, which was subsequently confirmed by delivery of a written opinion dated such date that, as of such date and based upon and subject to various assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered, and qualifications and limitations upon the review undertaken in preparing its opinion, the Merger Consideration to be paid to the Company Stockholders (other than as specified in such opinion) pursuant to the Merger Agreement was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders. For a detailed discussion of Centerview’s opinion, please see below under the caption “Opinion of Centerview Partners LLC”. Following discussion and consideration of the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (including the factors described under the heading “Recommendation of the MeridianLink Board of Directors and Reasons for the Merger”), the Board unanimously (i) approved, adopted and declared advisable the Merger Agreement and the Transaction, including the Merger, (ii) determined that the Transactions, including the Merger, are in the best interests of MeridianLink and its stockholders, and (iii) recommended that the stockholders of MeridianLink adopt the Merger Agreement and direct that such matter be submitted for consideration of the Company Stockholders at the Stockholder Meeting.

Before the beginning of trading on the NYSE on August 11, 2025, the parties executed the Merger Agreement and ancillary documents. Also on August 11, 2025, MeridianLink issued a press release announcing the Merger and execution of the Merger Agreement.

At a special meeting held on August 10, 2025, the Board, upon the recommendation of the Transaction Committee, unanimously: (i) determined that it is in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders, and declared it advisable, to enter into the Merger Agreement, (ii) approved the execution, delivery and performance of the Merger Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated therein, and (iii) resolved to recommend that the Company Stockholders adopt the Merger Agreement in accordance with the DGCL. Accordingly, the Board recommends that the Company Stockholders vote “FOR” the Merger Proposal and “FOR” the Adjournment Proposal.

In its determinations and in reaching its recommendations, each of the Board and the Transaction Committee, as described in the section titled “—Background of the Merger” of this proxy statement, held a number of meetings, consulted with MeridianLink’s management and its outside legal and financial advisors, and considered a number of factors and a substantial amount of information, including, but not limited to, the following (not necessarily presented in order of relative importance) that weighed in favor of the Merger:

Consideration. The Board considered:

Potential Strategic Alternatives. The Board considered:

Negotiation Process. The Board considered:

Centerview’s Opinion and Analysis. The Board considered:

The Merger Agreement, Equity Commitment Letter, Debt Commitment Letter, Limited Guarantee and Voting Agreements. The Board considered:

In the course of its deliberations, the Board also considered a variety of material risks and other countervailing factors related to entering into the Merger Agreement, including, but not limited to, the following (which are not necessarily presented in order of relative importance):

In addition, the Board was aware of and considered the interests of MeridianLink’s directors and executive officers that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of Company Stockholders generally when approving the Merger Agreement and recommending that Company Stockholders vote to adopt the Merger Agreement. For more information, see the section of this proxy statement titled “—Interests of the Directors and Executive Officers of MeridianLink in the Merger.”

The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered by the Board and the Transaction Committee in reaching their respective conclusions and recommendations is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. In light of the variety of factors considered in connection with their evaluation of the Merger and the complexity of these matters, the Board and the Transaction Committee did not find it practicable to, and did not, quantify or otherwise attempt to rank or assign relative weights to the various factors considered in reaching their respective determinations. In considering the factors described above and any other factors, individual members of the Board may have viewed factors differently or given different weight, merit or consideration to different factors. In addition, the Board and the Transaction Committee did not undertake to make any specific determination as to whether any particular factor, or any aspect of any particular factor, was favorable or unfavorable to the ultimate determination of the Board or the Transaction Committee, but rather the Board and the Transaction Committee conducted an overall review of the factors described above, including discussions with MeridianLink’s management and legal and financial advisors.

The foregoing discussion of the reasoning and consideration of certain factors by the Board and the resulting determinations and recommendation, and certain other information presented in this section, as well as similar information included in this proxy statement, is forward-looking in nature and, therefore, the information should be read in light of the factors discussed in the section of this proxy statement titled “Cautionary Note Regarding

Forward-Looking Statements.” For the reasons described above, and in light of other factors that the Board believed were appropriate to consider, the Board approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger, and recommends that the Company Stockholders vote in favor of the Merger Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal.

On August 10, 2025, Centerview rendered to the Board its oral opinion, subsequently confirmed in a written opinion dated such date that, as of such date and based upon and subject to various assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered, and qualifications and limitations upon the review undertaken by Centerview in preparing its opinion, the Merger Consideration to be paid to the Company Stockholders (other than holders of Excluded Shares) pursuant to the Merger Agreement was fair, from a financial point of view, to such Company Stockholders.

The full text of Centerview’s written opinion, dated August 10, 2025, which describes the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered, and qualifications and limitations upon the review undertaken by Centerview in preparing its opinion, is attached as Annex C and is incorporated herein by reference. The summary of the written opinion of Centerview set forth below is qualified in its entirety by the full text of Centerview’s written opinion attached as Annex C. Centerview’s financial advisory services and opinion were provided for the information and assistance of the Board (in their capacity as directors and not in any other capacity) in connection with and for purposes of its consideration of the Transactions and Centerview’s opinion only addressed the fairness, from a financial point of view, as of the date thereof, to the Company Stockholders (other than holders of Excluded Shares) of the Merger Consideration to be paid to such Company Stockholders pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Centerview’s opinion did not address any other term or aspect of the Merger Agreement or the Transactions and does not constitute a recommendation to any Company Stockholder or any other person as to how such stockholder or other person should vote with respect to the Merger or otherwise act with respect to the Transactions or any other matter.

The full text of Centerview’s written opinion should be read carefully in its entirety for a description of the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered, and qualifications and limitations upon the review undertaken by Centerview in preparing its opinion.

In connection with rendering the opinion described above and performing its related financial analyses, Centerview reviewed, among other things:

Centerview also participated in discussions with members of the senior management and representatives of MeridianLink regarding their assessment of the Internal Data. In addition, Centerview reviewed publicly available financial and stock market data, including valuation multiples, for MeridianLink and compared that data with similar data for certain other companies, the securities of which are publicly traded, in lines of business that Centerview deemed relevant. Centerview also compared certain of the proposed financial terms of the Transactions with the financial terms, to the extent publicly available, of certain other transactions that Centerview deemed relevant, and conducted such other financial studies and analyses and took into account such other information as Centerview deemed appropriate.

Centerview assumed, without independent verification or any responsibility therefor, the accuracy and completeness of the financial, legal, regulatory, tax, accounting and other information supplied to, discussed with, or reviewed by Centerview for purposes of its opinion and, with MeridianLink’s consent, Centerview relied upon such information as being complete and accurate. In that regard, Centerview assumed, at MeridianLink’s direction, that the Internal Data (including, without limitation, the Forecasts) were reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the management of MeridianLink as to the matters covered thereby and Centerview relied, at MeridianLink’s direction, on the Internal Data for purposes of Centerview’s analysis and opinion. Centerview expressed no view or opinion as to the Internal Data or the assumptions on which it was based. In addition, at MeridianLink’s direction, Centerview did not make any independent evaluation or appraisal of any of the assets or liabilities (contingent, derivative, off-balance-sheet or otherwise) of MeridianLink, nor was Centerview furnished with any such evaluation or appraisal, and was not asked to conduct, and did not conduct, a physical inspection of the properties or assets of MeridianLink. Centerview assumed, at MeridianLink’s direction, that the final executed Merger Agreement would not differ in any respect material to Centerview’s analysis or opinion from the Draft Merger Agreement reviewed by Centerview. Centerview also assumed, at MeridianLink’s direction, that the Transactions will be consummated on the terms set forth in the Merger Agreement and in accordance with all applicable laws and other relevant documents or requirements, without delay or the waiver, modification or amendment of any term, condition or agreement, the effect of which would be material to Centerview’s analysis or Centerview’s opinion and that, in the course of obtaining the necessary governmental, regulatory and other approvals, consents, releases and waivers for the Transactions, no delay, limitation, restriction, condition or other change will be imposed, the effect of which would be material to Centerview’s analysis or Centerview’s opinion. Centerview did not evaluate and did not express any opinion as to the solvency or fair value of MeridianLink, or the ability of MeridianLink to pay its obligations when they come due, or as to the impact of the Transactions on such matters, under any state, federal or other laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or similar matters. Centerview is not a legal, regulatory, tax or accounting advisor, and Centerview expressed no opinion as to any legal, regulatory, tax or accounting matters.

Centerview’s opinion expressed no view as to, and did not address, MeridianLink’s underlying business decision to proceed with or effect the Transactions, or the relative merits of the Transactions as compared to any alternative business strategies or transactions that might be available to MeridianLink or in which MeridianLink might engage. Centerview’s opinion was limited to and addressed only the fairness, from a financial point of view, as of the date of Centerview’s written opinion, to the Company Stockholders (other than holders of Excluded Shares) of the Merger Consideration to be paid to such Company Stockholders pursuant to the Merger Agreement. For purposes of its opinion, Centerview was not asked to, and Centerview did not, express any view on, and its opinion did not address, any other term or aspect of the Merger Agreement or the Transactions, including, without limitation, the structure or form of the Transactions, or any other agreements or arrangements contemplated by the Merger Agreement or entered into in connection with or otherwise contemplated by the Transactions, including, without limitation, the fairness of the Transactions or any other term or aspect of the Transactions to, or any consideration to be received in connection therewith by, or the impact of the Transactions on, the holders of any other class of securities, creditors or other constituencies of MeridianLink or any other party. In addition, Centerview expressed no view or opinion as to the fairness (financial or otherwise) of the amount, nature or any other aspect of any compensation to be paid or payable to any of the officers, directors or employees of MeridianLink or any party, or class of such persons in connection with the Transactions, whether relative to the Merger Consideration to be paid to the Company Stockholders pursuant to the Merger Agreement or otherwise. Centerview’s opinion was necessarily based on financial, economic, monetary, currency, market and other conditions and circumstances as in effect on, and the information made available to Centerview as of, the date of Centerview’s written opinion, and Centerview does not have any obligation or responsibility to update, revise or reaffirm its opinion based on circumstances, developments or events occurring after the date of Centerview’s written opinion. Centerview’s opinion does not constitute a recommendation to any Company Stockholder or any other person as to how such Company Stockholder or other person should vote with respect to the Merger or otherwise act with respect to the Transactions or any other matter. Centerview’s financial advisory services and its written opinion were provided for the information and assistance of the Board (in their capacity as directors and not in any other capacity) in connection with and for purposes of its consideration of the Transactions. The issuance of Centerview’s opinion was approved by the Centerview Partners LLC Fairness Opinion Committee.

The following is a summary of the material financial analyses prepared and reviewed with the Board in connection with Centerview’s opinion, dated August 10, 2025. The summary set forth below does not purport to be a complete description of the financial analyses performed or factors considered by, and underlying the

opinion of, Centerview, nor does the order of the financial analyses described represent the relative importance or weight given to those financial analyses by Centerview. Centerview may have deemed various assumptions more or less probable than other assumptions, so the reference ranges resulting from any particular portion of the analyses summarized below should not be taken to be Centerview’s view of the actual value of MeridianLink. Some of the summaries of the financial analyses set forth below include information presented in tabular format. In order to fully understand the financial analyses, the tables must be read together with the text of each summary, as the tables alone do not constitute a complete description of the financial analyses performed by Centerview. Considering the data in the tables below without considering all financial analyses or factors or the full narrative description of such analyses or factors, including the methodologies and assumptions underlying such analyses or factors, could create a misleading or incomplete view of the processes underlying Centerview’s financial analyses and its opinion. In performing its analyses, Centerview made numerous assumptions with respect to industry performance, general business and economic conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of MeridianLink or any other parties to the Transactions. None of MeridianLink, ML Holdco, Merger Sub or Centerview or any other person assumes responsibility if future results are materially different from those discussed. Any estimates contained in these analyses are not necessarily indicative of actual values or predictive of future results or values, which may be significantly more or less favorable than as set forth below. In addition, analyses relating to the value of MeridianLink do not purport to be appraisals or reflect the prices at which MeridianLink may actually be sold. Accordingly, the assumptions and estimates used in, and the results derived from, the financial analyses are inherently subject to substantial uncertainty. Except as otherwise noted, the following quantitative information, to the extent that it is based on market data, is based on market data as it existed on or before August 8, 2025 (the last trading day before the public announcement of the Transactions) and is not necessarily indicative of current market conditions.

Centerview reviewed and analyzed certain information relating to the following selected transactions involving certain public financial vertical software companies (which transactions are referred to as the “selected transactions” in this summary of Centerview’s opinion) that Centerview, based on its experience and professional judgment, deemed relevant to consider in relation to MeridianLink and the Transactions.

Using publicly available information obtained from SEC filings and other data sources as of the time of the public announcement of the selected transactions, Centerview calculated, for each selected transaction, implied enterprise value of the target company based on the consideration payable in such selected transaction as a multiple of the target company’s last twelve months (referred to as “LTM”) adjusted estimated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, less non-recurring items and unburdened by share-based compensation (referred to as “Adj. EBITDA”) as of the time of the public announcement of the relevant transaction (“TV/LTM Adj. EBITDA Multiple”).

The selected transactions and the TV/LTM Adj. EBITDA Multiples of the selected transactions considered in this analysis are summarized below:

Although none of the selected transactions is directly comparable to the Transactions, these selected transactions were selected by Centerview because, among other reasons, their participants, size or other factors, for purposes of Centerview’s analysis, may be considered similar to the Transactions. The reasons for and the circumstances surrounding each of the selected transactions analyzed were diverse and there are inherent differences in the business, operational and/or financial conditions and prospects of MeridianLink and the companies included in the selected precedent transactions analysis. However, because none of the selected transactions used in this analysis is identical or directly comparable to the Transactions, Centerview believed that it was inappropriate to, and therefore did not, rely solely on the quantitative results of the selected precedent transaction analysis. Accordingly, Centerview also made qualitative judgments, based on its experience and professional judgment, concerning differences in business, operational and/or financial characteristics and other factors that could affect the transaction values of each in order to provide a context in which to consider the results of the quantitative analysis.

Based on this analysis and other considerations that Centerview deemed relevant in its experience and professional judgment, Centerview selected a reference range of TV/LTM Adj. EBITDA Multiples of 13.0x – 16.0x. In selecting this range of TV/LTM Adj. EBITDA Multiples, Centerview made qualitative judgments based on its experience and professional judgment concerning differences in business, operational and/or financial characteristics and other factors that could affect the transaction values of each in order to provide a context in which to consider the results of the quantitative analysis.

Centerview applied this reference range of TV/LTM Adj. EBITDA Multiples to MeridianLink’s LTM Adj. EBITDA of $133 million, as of August 8, 2025 and as set forth in the Internal Data, and (i) added to it MeridianLink’s cash and cash equivalents of $91.6 million as of July 31, 2025 less $3.1 million of repurchases of Company Common Stock by MeridianLink from August 1, 2025 through August 7, 2025 per Company management and (ii) subtracted from it MeridianLink’s debt of $470 million as of July 31, 2025, in each case, as set forth in the Internal Data, and divided by the number of fully diluted outstanding shares of Company Common Stock (calculated using the treasury stock method and taking into account outstanding options and unvested restricted stock units) as of August 7, 2025, as set forth in the Internal Data, resulting in an implied per share equity value range for Company Common Stock of approximately $16.50 to $21.25, rounded to the nearest $0.25. Centerview then compared this range to the Merger Consideration of $20.00 in cash, without interest, proposed to be paid to the Company Stockholders (other than holders of Excluded Shares) pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

Centerview reviewed and compared certain financial information of MeridianLink to corresponding financial information of certain publicly traded financial vertical software companies listed below that Centerview deemed comparable, based on its experience and professional judgment, to MeridianLink (which companies are referred to as the “selected companies” in this summary of Centerview’s opinion).

Using publicly available information obtained from SEC filings and other data sources as of August 8, 2025, Centerview calculated, for each selected company, such selected company’s implied enterprise value (calculated as the equity value (determined using the treasury stock method and taking into account outstanding in-the-money options, warrants, restricted stock units and other convertible securities) plus the book value of debt and certain liabilities less cash and cash equivalents) as a multiple of Wall Street research analyst consensus Adj. EBITDA for calendar year 2026 (“EV/2026E Adj. EBITDA Trading Multiple”).

The companies reviewed and the EV/2026E Adj. EBITDA Trading Multiples of the selected companies were as follows:

Although none of the selected companies is directly comparable to MeridianLink, the selected companies were chosen by Centerview, among other reasons, because they are publicly traded companies with certain operational,

business and/or financial characteristics that, for purposes of Centerview’s analysis, may be considered similar to those of MeridianLink. However, because none of the selected companies is exactly the same as MeridianLink, Centerview believed that it was inappropriate to, and therefore did not, rely solely on the quantitative results of the selected public company analysis. Accordingly, Centerview also made qualitative judgments, based on its experience and professional judgment, concerning differences between the operational, business and/or financial characteristics of MeridianLink and the selected companies that could affect the public trading values of each in order to provide a context in which to consider the results of the quantitative analysis.

Based on its analysis and other considerations that Centerview deemed relevant in its professional judgment and experience, Centerview selected a reference range of EV/2026E Adj. EBITDA Trading Multiples of 10.0x to 15.0x to apply to MeridianLink’s Adj. EBITDA for calendar year 2026 as set forth in the Forecasts. In selecting this reference range of EV/2026E Adj. EBITDA Trading Multiples, Centerview made qualitative judgments based on its experience and professional judgment concerning differences between the business, operational, and/or financial characteristics of MeridianLink and the selected companies that could affect their public trading values in order to provide a context in which to consider the results of the quantitative analysis.

Centerview applied this range of EV/2026E Adj. EBITDA Trading Multiples to MeridianLink’s estimated calendar year 2026 Adj. EBITDA of $144 million, as set forth in the Forecasts, and (i) added to it MeridianLink’s cash and cash equivalents of $91.6 million as of July 31, 2025 less $3.1 million of repurchases of Company Common Stock by MeridianLink from August 1, 2025 through August 7, 2025 per Company management and (ii) subtracted from it MeridianLink’s debt of $470 million as of July 31, 2025, in each case, as set forth in the Internal Data, and divided by the number of fully diluted outstanding Shares (calculated using the treasury stock method and taking into account outstanding options and unvested restricted stock units) as of August 7, 2025, as set forth in the Internal Data, resulting in an implied per share equity value range for the Company Common Stock of approximately $13.00 to $21.75, rounded to the nearest $0.25. Centerview then compared this range to the Merger Consideration of $20.00 per Share in cash, without interest, proposed to be paid to the Company Stockholders (other than holders of Excluded Shares) pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

Centerview performed a discounted cash flow analysis of MeridianLink based on the Forecasts. A discounted cash flow analysis is a traditional valuation methodology used to derive a valuation of an asset or set of assets by calculating the “present value” of estimated future cash flows of the asset or set of assets. “Present value” refers to the current value of future cash flows or amounts and is obtained by discounting those future cash flows or amounts by a discount rate that takes into account macroeconomic assumptions and estimates of risk, the opportunity cost of capital, expected returns and other appropriate factors.

In performing this analysis, Centerview calculated a range of equity values for Company Common Stock by (a) discounting to present value as of June 30, 2025, using discount rates ranging from 11.0% to 13.0% (based on Centerview’s analysis of MeridianLink’s weighted average cost of capital determined using the capital asset pricing model and based on considerations that Centerview deemed relevant in its professional judgment and experience) and using a mid-year convention: (i) the forecasted risk-adjusted, after-tax unlevered free cash flows of MeridianLink over the period beginning on July 1, 2025 and ending on December 31, 2030, utilized by Centerview based on the Forecasts, and (ii) a range of implied terminal values of MeridianLink calculated by Centerview by applying a range of terminal multiples to MeridianLink’s projected Adj. EBITDA for the next twelve months as of December 31, 2030, ranging from 10.5x to 15.5x, and (b)(i) adding to the foregoing results MeridianLink’s cash and cash equivalents of $91.6 million as of July 31, 2025 less $3.1 million of repurchases of Company Common Stock by MeridianLink from August 1, 2025 through August 7, 2025 per Company management and (ii) subtracting from the foregoing MeridianLink’s debt of $470 million as of July 31, 2025, in each case, as set forth in the Internal Data.

Centerview divided the result of the foregoing calculations by the number of fully diluted outstanding Shares (calculated using the treasury stock method and taking into account outstanding options and unvested restricted stock units) as of August 7, 2025, as set forth in the Internal Data, resulting in a range of implied equity values per Share of $13.25 to $22.50, rounded to the nearest $0.25. Centerview then compared the results of the above analysis to the Merger Consideration of $20.00 in cash, without interest, proposed to be paid to the Company Stockholders (other than holders of Excluded Shares) pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

Centerview noted for the Board certain additional factors solely for reference and informational purposes only, including, among other things, the following:

The preparation of a financial opinion is a complex analytical process involving various determinations as to the most appropriate and relevant methods of financial analysis and the application of those methods to the particular circumstances and, therefore, a financial opinion is not readily susceptible to summary description. In arriving at its opinion, Centerview did not draw, in isolation, conclusions from or with regard to any factor or analysis that it considered. Rather, Centerview made its determination as to fairness on the basis of its experience and professional judgment after considering the results of all of the analyses.

Centerview’s financial analyses and opinion were only one of many factors taken into consideration by the Board in its evaluation of the Transactions. Consequently, the analyses described above should not be viewed as determinative of the views of the Board or management of MeridianLink with respect to the Merger Consideration or as to whether the Board would have been willing to determine that a different consideration was fair. The consideration for the Transactions was determined through arm’s-length negotiations between MeridianLink and ML Holdco and was approved by the Board. Centerview provided advice to MeridianLink during these negotiations. Centerview did not, however recommend any specific amount of consideration to MeridianLink or the Board or that any specific amount of consideration constituted the only appropriate consideration for the Transactions.

Centerview is a securities firm engaged directly and through affiliates and related persons in a number of investment banking, financial advisory and merchant banking activities. In the two years prior to the date of its written opinion, Centerview had not been engaged to provide financial advisory or other services to MeridianLink, and Centerview did not receive any compensation from MeridianLink during such period. In the two years prior to the date of its written opinion, Centerview had not been engaged to provide financial advisory or other services to Centerbridge, ML Holdco or Merger Sub, and Centerview did not receive any compensation from Centerbridge, ML Holdco or Merger Sub during such period. In 2023 and 2024, Centerview was engaged to provide financial advisory services unrelated to MeridianLink to a private company in which Centerbridge held a significant minority equity interest, in connection with certain strategic matters. Centerview did not receive compensation in connection with such engagement, which has expired. Centerview is currently providing financial advisory services unrelated to MeridianLink to a financial creditor group (of which an affiliate of Thoma Bravo, LP (“Thoma Bravo”) is a member) of an issuer in connection with a potential restructuring involving the relevant issuer, and Centerview expects to receive between $1 million and $3 million in compensation for such services during such period. Centerview may provide financial advisory and other services to or with respect to MeridianLink, Centerbridge, ML Holdco or Thoma Bravo or their respective affiliates, including portfolio companies of Centerbridge and Thoma Bravo, in the future,

for which Centerview may receive compensation. Certain (i) of Centerview’s and Centerview’s affiliates’ directors, officers, members and employees, or family members of such persons, (ii) of Centerview’s affiliates or related investment funds and (iii) investment funds or other persons in which any of the foregoing may have financial interests or with which they may co-invest, may at any time acquire, hold, sell or trade, in debt, equity and other securities or financial instruments (including derivatives, bank loans or other obligations) of, or investments in, MeridianLink, Centerbridge, ML Holdco, Thoma Bravo or any of their respective affiliates, including portfolio companies of Centerbridge and Thoma Bravo, or any other party that may be involved in the Transactions.

The Board selected Centerview as its financial advisor in connection with the Transactions based on Centerview’s reputation and experience. Centerview is an internationally recognized investment banking firm that has substantial experience in transactions similar to the Transactions.

In connection with Centerview’s services as the financial advisor to the Board, MeridianLink has agreed to pay Centerview an aggregate fee of $29.4 million, $3.0 million of which was payable upon the rendering of Centerview’s opinion and $26.4 million of which is payable contingent upon consummation of the Transactions. In addition, MeridianLink has agreed to reimburse certain of Centerview’s expenses arising, and to indemnify Centerview against certain liabilities that may arise, out of Centerview’s engagement.

Except for financial outlooks issued in connection with its ordinary course earnings announcements, MeridianLink does not, as a matter of course, publicly disclose financial forecasts or projections as to future performance, earnings or other results due to, among other reasons, the inherent uncertainty, unpredictability and subjectivity of the underlying assumptions and estimates, especially over longer-term periods.

In July 2025, in connection with the review of strategic transactions, including the Merger, at the direction of the Board, MeridianLink’s management prepared unaudited non-public prospective financial information for MeridianLink, on a standalone basis without giving effect to the Merger, for fiscal years 2025 through 2030 (the “Projections”). The Projections were developed solely using the information available to MeridianLink’s management at the time they were prepared. The Projections were provided to and considered by the Board in connection with its evaluation of strategic transactions, including the Merger, in comparison to MeridianLink’s other potential alternatives, including remaining as a standalone company. The Projections were also provided to Centerview, and the Board directed Centerview to use the Projections for purposes of its financial analyses and opinion, as described in the section of this proxy statement captioned “—Opinion of Centerview Partners LLC”. The Projections were made available to ML Holdco.

The Projections include, among other things, the following assumptions and estimates:

The following table summarizes the Projections:

The Projections were developed by MeridianLink’s management as then-current estimates of MeridianLink’s future financial performance as an independent company, without giving effect to the Merger, or any changes to MeridianLink’s operations, capital structure or strategy that may be implemented in connection with the pendency of, or following the consummation of, the Merger or to any costs incurred in connection with the Merger. The Projections also do not consider the effect of any failure of the Merger to be completed, and should not be viewed as accurate or continuing in that context. The Projections do not take into account any circumstances, transactions or events occurring after the date on which the Projections were prepared and do not give effect to any changes after the date on which they were made, including as a result of the Merger or any effects of the Merger.

The Projections were not prepared with a view toward public disclosure or complying with GAAP, published guidelines of the SEC or the guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for preparation or presentation of prospective financial information. The Projections included in this document have been prepared by, and are the responsibility of, MeridianLink’s management. Neither MeridianLink’s independent auditor nor any other independent accountants have audited, reviewed, examined, compiled nor applied agreed-upon procedures with respect to the Projections, nor have they expressed an opinion or any other form of assurance on such information or its achievability, and assume no responsibility for, and disclaim any association with, the prospective financial information.

Although the Projections are presented with numerical specificity, they reflect numerous assumptions and estimates as to future events, made by MeridianLink’s management with respect to industry performance, general business, economic, regulatory, market and financial conditions and other future events, as well as matters specific to MeridianLink’s business, in each case as of the date it was prepared, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond MeridianLink’s control and which MeridianLink’s management believed in good faith were reasonable. MeridianLink’s ability to achieve the financial results contemplated by the Projections will be affected by its ability to achieve its strategic goals, objectives and targets over the applicable periods, and will be subject to operational and execution risks associated therewith. The Projections reflect assumptions as to certain business decisions that are subject to change. Important factors that may affect actual results and cause the Projections not to be achieved include, among others, the effect of macro-economic conditions currently affecting the global economy; MeridianLink’s ability to retain existing customers and attract new customers; expectations regarding the long-term rate of customer subscription renewals or adoption of MeridianLink’s products; the effects of increased competition; keeping up with the rapid technological change required to remain competitive in MeridianLink’s industry; MeridianLink’s ability to manage its growth effectively and successfully recruit, train and retain additional highly skilled personnel; the price volatility of Company Common Stock; and other risks identified in MeridianLink’s SEC filings, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2025 and June 30, 2025, and subsequent filings with the SEC, as well as the section entitled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this proxy statement. All of these factors are difficult to predict, and many of them are outside of MeridianLink’s control. As a result, there can be no assurance that the Projections will be realized, and actual results may be materially better or worse than those contained in the Projections. The

Projections may differ from publicized analyst estimates and forecasts. You should evaluate the Projections, if at all, in conjunction with MeridianLink’s historical financial statements and other information regarding MeridianLink contained in its public filings with the SEC. The Projections may not be consistent with MeridianLink’s historical operating data as a result of the assumptions and estimates detailed above. Except to the extent required by applicable federal securities laws, MeridianLink does not intend to update or otherwise revise the Projections to reflect circumstances existing after the date that such information was prepared or to reflect the occurrence of future events.

Because the Projections reflect estimates and judgments, they are susceptible to sensitivities and assumptions, as well as to multiple interpretations based on actual experience and business developments. The Projections also cover multiple years, and such information by its nature becomes less predictive with each succeeding year. The Projections are not, and should not be considered to be, a guarantee of future operating results. The Projections should not be regarded as an indication that MeridianLink’s management, the Board or any of their respective advisors, or any other person, considered or now considers the Projections to be necessarily predictive of actual future results. Further, the Projections are not fact and should not be relied upon as being necessarily indicative of MeridianLink’s future results or for purposes of making any investment decision.

Certain of the financial measures included in the Projections are not calculated in accordance with GAAP. Financial measures such as EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Net Operating Profit After Tax and Unlevered Free Cash Flow are non-GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be viewed as a substitute for GAAP financial measures and may be different from similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. Furthermore, there are limitations inherent in non-GAAP financial measures because they exclude charges and credits that are required to be included in a GAAP presentation. Accordingly, these non-GAAP financial measures should be considered together with, and not as an alternative to, financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Financial measures included in forecasts provided to a financial advisor and a board of directors in connection with a business combination transaction, such as the Projections, are excluded from the definition of “non-GAAP financial measures” under applicable SEC rules and regulations. As a result, the Projections are not subject to SEC rules regarding disclosures of non-GAAP financial measures, which would otherwise require a reconciliation of a non-GAAP financial measure to a GAAP financial measure. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures were not provided to or relied upon by the Board, Centerview or ML Holdco. Accordingly, no reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures included in the Projections is provided in this proxy statement.

The Projections constitute forward-looking statements. By including the Projections in this proxy statement, none of MeridianLink, the Board, Centerview or any of MeridianLink’s or the Board’s respective representatives and advisors has made or makes any representation to any person regarding MeridianLink’s ultimate performance as compared to the information contained in the Projections. The inclusion of the Projections should not be regarded as an indication that the Board, MeridianLink, Centerview or any other recipient of the Projections considered, or now considers, the Projections to be predictive of MeridianLink’s actual performance or actual future results, and you should not rely on the Projections as such. For information on factors that may cause MeridianLink’s future results to materially vary, see the section of this proxy statement captioned “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Further, the inclusion of the Projections in this proxy statement does not constitute an admission or representation by MeridianLink that the information presented is material. The Projections are included in this proxy statement solely to give Company Stockholders access to the information that was made available to the Transaction Committee, the Board, Centerview and ML Holdco, as described above. The Projections are not included in this proxy statement in order to influence any Company Stockholder as to how to vote at the special meeting with respect to the Merger, or whether to seek appraisal rights with respect to their Company Common Stock.

In light of the foregoing factors and the uncertainties inherent in the Projections, Company Stockholders are cautioned not to place undue reliance, if any, on the Projections.

Certain of MeridianLink’s directors and executive officers may have financial interests in the Merger that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of Company Stockholders generally. The Board was aware of these potential interests and considered them, among other matters, in evaluating and negotiating the Merger Agreement and in reaching its decision to approve the Merger Agreement and the Merger, and in making its recommendation that the Company Stockholders approve the Merger Agreement as more fully discussed in “— Recommendation of the MeridianLink Board of Directors and Reasons for the Merger.”

MeridianLink’s current executive officers and their respective positions are as follows:

MeridianLink’s current non-employee directors are as follows:

MeridianLink’s directors and executive officers who own Company Common Stock will receive the Merger Consideration on the same terms and conditions as the other Company Stockholders in the Merger. The following table sets forth the number of Company Common Stock owned, as of August 15, 2025, by each of MeridianLink’s executive officers and non-employee directors, which, for this purpose, excludes (i) shares subject to MeridianLink Options, (ii) shares subject to outstanding MeridianLink RSUs and (iii) shares held by affiliated entities of such persons.

At the Effective Time, each In-the-Money MeridianLink Option, including those held by MeridianLink’s executive officers and non-employee directors, will fully vest, be cancelled and, in exchange therefor, each holder of any such In-the-Money MeridianLink Option will have the right to receive, without interest and subject to applicable withholding taxes, an amount in cash equal to (i) the aggregate number of Company Common Stock underlying such In-the-Money MeridianLink Option, multiplied by (ii) the amount the Merger Consideration exceeds the per share exercise price of such In-the-Money MeridianLink Option. At the Effective Time, each MeridianLink Option, whether vested or unvested, that is outstanding and unexercised as of immediately prior to the Effective Time and has a per share exercise price that is equal to or greater than the Merger Consideration will be cancelled for no consideration.

The following table sets forth, for each of MeridianLink’s executive officers and non-employee directors, (i) the aggregate number of Company Common Stock underlying In-the-Money MeridianLink Options held by such individual as of August 15, 2025, and (ii) the estimated value that the executive officers and non-employee directors will receive in respect of such In-the-Money MeridianLink Options in connection with the Merger. MeridianLink Options held by MeridianLink’s executive officers and non-employee directors and with an exercise price that is equal to or greater than $20.00 per share will be cancelled for no consideration and are therefore not included in the table below. The following table assumes that no MeridianLink Options will be exercised between August 15, 2025 and the Effective Time.

At the Effective Time, each Vested MeridianLink RSU (including by reason of single-trigger acceleration), including those held by MeridianLink’s executive officers and non-employee directors, will be cancelled and, in exchange therefor, each holder of any such Vested MeridianLink RSU will have the right to receive, without interest and subject to applicable withholding taxes, an amount in cash equal to (i) the aggregate number of Company Common Stock underlying such Vested MeridianLink RSU as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, multiplied by (ii) the Merger Consideration.

At the Effective Time, each Unvested MeridianLink RSU, including those held by MeridianLink’s executive officers and non-employee directors, will be cancelled and replaced with a right to receive the Cash Replacement RSU Amounts, which Cash Replacement RSU Amounts will, subject to the holder’s continued service with Parent or its subsidiaries (including, following the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation or its subsidiaries) through the applicable vesting dates, vest and be payable at the same time as the Unvested MeridianLink RSUs for which such Cash Replacement RSU Amounts were exchanged would have vested and been payable pursuant to their terms. All Cash Replacement RSU Amounts will be subject to the same terms and conditions (including with respect to vesting) as applied to the Unvested MeridianLink RSUs for which such Cash Replacement RSU Amounts were exchanged, except for terms rendered inoperative by reason of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Merger, or for such other administrative or ministerial changes as in the reasonable and good faith determination of Parent are appropriate to conform the administration of the Cash Replacement RSU Amounts.

The following table sets forth, for each of MeridianLink’s executive officers and non-employee directors, (i) the aggregate number of Company Common Stock underlying Vested MeridianLink RSUs and Unvested MeridianLink RSUs held as of August 15, 2025 and (ii) the estimated value that the executive officers and non-employee directors will receive in respect of the Vested MeridianLink RSUs and Unvested MeridianLink RSUs in connection with the Merger.

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, MeridianLink may establish a cash transaction bonus program providing for transaction bonuses in an aggregate amount not to exceed $3.0 million (the “Transaction Bonus Program”). Awards under the Transaction Bonus Program vest and become payable on the closing date of the Merger, subject to the employee’s continued employment through such date. Awards under the Transaction Bonus Program will be determined by MeridianLink’s Chief Executive Officer, provided that no more than $100,000 may be allocated to any individual employee without the written consent of Parent. Neither Mr. Vlok nor Mr. Katz is eligible to receive a bonus under the Transaction Bonus Program. Mr. Olmeta is eligible to receive a bonus under the Transaction Bonus Program. As of the date of this proxy statement, no bonus has been determined or awarded to Mr. Olmeta under the Transaction Bonus Program.

MeridianLink has entered into employment agreements with each of its executive officers (each, an “Employment Agreement”) that provide for specified payments and benefits in connection with a termination of employment in certain circumstances. Each Employment Agreement provides for certain payments and benefits if the executive officer’s employment with MeridianLink is terminated by MeridianLink without “Cause,” or by the executive officer for “Good Reason,” in each case, within three months before or 12 months following a “Change in Control” (each as defined in the applicable Employment Agreement) (any such termination, a “CIC Termination”). The Merger will qualify as a “Change in Control” under each of the Employment Agreements.

Upon a CIC Termination, each executive officer is entitled to receive the following payments and benefits:

All severance payments and benefits payable pursuant to the Employment Agreements are subject to, among other things, the executive officer’s timely execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims in favor of MeridianLink and related parties. The Employment Agreements also provide that if payments and benefits payable to the executive officer in connection with a Change in Control would be subject to the excise tax on golden parachutes imposed under Section 4999 of the Code, then those payments or benefits will be reduced if such reduction would result in a higher net after-tax benefit to the executive officer.

The following table sets forth the potential amounts payable to MeridianLink’s executive officers upon a CIC Termination under the Employment Agreements assuming that the CIC Termination occurs on September 30, 2025 (the estimated closing date of the Merger solely for purposes of these calculations) other than the estimated value of MeridianLink Options and MeridianLink RSUs, which are set forth above.

In connection with his previously announced transition from the Chief Executive Officer role, MeridianLink entered into a transition agreement (the “Transition Agreement”) with Mr. Vlok. Pursuant to the Transition Agreement, Mr. Vlok’s outstanding equity awards that are unvested as of the date that his employment with MeridianLink terminates (the “Unvested Equity Awards”) will cease to vest and will be held in abeyance until either (i) the closing of a “Sale Event” (as defined in the Transition Agreement), at which time the Unvested Equity Awards will accelerate and become fully exercisable or nonforfeitable, or (ii) January 1, 2026, at which time the Unvested Equity Awards will be forfeited. The Merger will qualify as a Sale Event under the Transition Agreement. Accordingly, if the closing of the Merger occurs on or after the date that Mr. Vlok’s employment terminates and prior to January 1, 2026, his Unvested Equity Awards will accelerate and vest as of the Effective Time. In addition, pursuant to the Transition Agreement, Mr. Vlok is entitled to receive a pro-rated bonus for fiscal year 2025 based on MeridianLink’s performance through the third quarter of 2025.

Certain of MeridianLink’s executive officers may continue to provide employment or other services to Parent or its affiliates after the Effective Time and may enter into new agreements, arrangements or understandings with Parent or its affiliates to set forth the terms and compensation of such post-Effective Time service. As of the date of this proxy statement, no such agreements, arrangements or understandings between any of MeridianLink’s executive officers and Parent or any of its affiliates exist. Prior to or following the closing of the Merger, however, certain of MeridianLink’s executive officers may discuss or enter into agreements, arrangements or understandings with Parent or its affiliates regarding post-Effective Time employment or other services to Parent or its affiliates, including terms and compensation of such post-Effective Time service. In addition, as of the date of this proxy statement, none of MeridianLink’s executive officers, directors or significant stockholders has discussed or entered into any agreements, arrangements or understandings with Parent or any of its affiliates regarding a rollover and/or the right to purchase or participate in the equity of Parent or its affiliates. Prior to or following the closing of the Merger, however, certain of MeridianLink’s executive officers, directors or significant stockholders (other than the funds advised by affiliates

of Thoma Bravo, L.P. holding Company Common Stock) may discuss or enter into agreements, arrangements or understandings with Parent or its affiliates regarding a rollover and/or the right to purchase or participate in the equity of Parent or its affiliates.

The Merger Agreement provides that, for a period of 12 months following the closing date of the Merger (or, if earlier, the termination date of the applicable continuing employee), Parent will provide, or cause to be provided, to each employee of MeridianLink or a subsidiary thereof as of immediately prior to the closing date of the Merger who continues employment with Parent, the Surviving Corporation or any subsidiary thereof immediately following the closing date (each, a “Continuing Employee”) (i) a base salary or base hourly wage rate (as applicable) and a target annual cash incentive compensation opportunity (including bonuses and commissions, but excluding long-term incentive, equity or equity-based or retention, transaction or change in control bonus arrangements), in each case in an amount at least equal to the level that was provided to each such Continuing Employee as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, and (ii) employee benefits (including health, welfare and defined contribution retirement benefits, but excluding defined benefit pension, equity or equity-based, long-term incentive, severance, nonqualified deferred compensation, change in control, retention and retiree health or welfare benefits) that are no less favorable in the aggregate than those provided to each such Continuing Employee as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.

Each of MeridianLink’s executive officers and directors is entitled to the indemnification and insurance benefits in favor of MeridianLink’s directors and executive officers, as described in more detail in “The Merger Agreement —Indemnification and Insurance.”

The Merger is not subject to a financing condition. ML Holdco estimates that the total amount of funds necessary to complete the Merger will be approximately $2.39 billion, including estimated transaction fees and expenses. ML Holdco and Merger Sub intend to fund the amounts necessary to complete the Merger through a combination of the following:

ML Holdco has obtained the equity and debt financing commitments described below. The funding of the proceeds under each of the financing commitments is contingent on the satisfaction of customary conditions described therein. ML Holdco has represented to MeridianLink that, assuming the satisfaction of ML Holdco’s closing conditions and the accuracy of MeridianLink’s representations and warranties set forth in the Merger Agreement, including that MeridianLink’s representation regarding its capitalization is true and correct in all respects as of the Closing Date, except for inaccuracies that would not be reasonably expected to result in additional cost, expense or liability to ML Holdco, individually or in the aggregate, of more than $7,500,000 and performance by MeridianLink of its obligations under the Merger Agreement that are required to be performed by MeridianLink on or prior to the Closing Date, the aggregate amounts of the equity and debt financing, when funded or invested, will provide sufficient funds for ML Holdco, Merger Sub and the Surviving Corporation to pay the amounts required to be paid on the Closing Date in connection with the consummation of the Transactions, including payment of the aggregate Merger Consideration, to make any repayment, repurchase or refinancing of debt contemplated by the Merger Agreement, to pay any other amounts required to be paid in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and to pay all related fees and expenses due and payable on the Closing Date. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, MeridianLink is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide ML Holdco with customary cooperation in connection with the equity and debt financing. For more information, see the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Other Covenants—Financing” beginning on page 89.

Pursuant to the Equity Commitment Letter, the Equity Investor has agreed to invest and contribute to ML Holdco directly or indirectly through one or more intermediate vehicles that are affiliates of ML Holdco, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Equity Commitment Letter, at or prior to Closing, an aggregate amount equal

to approximately $1.03 billion, in cash to fund a portion of the payment of the aggregate Merger Consideration required to be paid under the Merger Agreement, together with related fees and expenses of ML Holdco and Merger Sub payable at the Closing in connection with the Transaction.

The Equity Investor’s financing commitments are generally subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to ML Holdco and Merger Sub’s obligations to effect the Closing as set forth in the Merger Agreement, the funding of the Debt Financing (or alternative debt financing) pursuant to the Debt Commitment Letter in accordance with the terms and conditions thereof at the Closing, if the Equity Financing is funded at the Closing.

The Equity Financing contemplated by the Equity Commitment Letter will terminate automatically and immediately upon the earliest to occur of (i) the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms, (ii) the funding of the Cash Contribution by the Equity Investor at the Closing, (iii) the payment of the Guaranteed Obligation (as defined in the Limited Guarantee) by ML Holdco, the Equity Investor or their assigns in accordance with the terms of the Limited Guarantee or (iv) MeridianLink or any Company Related Party (as defined in the Merger Agreement) commencing any action against the Equity Investor or any Parent Related Parties (as defined in the Merger Agreement) relating to the Equity Commitment Letter, the Limited Guarantee or the Merger Agreement, other than remedies against the Equity Investor under the Limited Guarantee, rights as a third party beneficiary as set for in the Equity Commitment Letter to make the Cash Contribution, claims under the Confidentiality Agreement and remedies against ML Holdco and Merger Sub under the Merger Agreement.

Concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement, ML Holdco entered into the Debt Commitment Letter, with the Financing Sources. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Debt Commitment Letter, the Financing Sources committed, severally and not jointly, to provide debt financing in an aggregate principal amount of up to approximately $1.36 billion, consisting of a (i) senior secured first lien term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $961,000,000 (the “Initial Term Facility”), (ii) senior secured revolving credit facility in an aggregate committed amount of $150,000,000 (the “Initial Revolving Facility”) and (iii) delayed draw term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $250,000,000 (the “Initial DDTL Facility” and together with the Initial Term Facility and the Initial Revolving Facility, the “Credit Facilities”). The proceeds of borrowings under the Initial Term Facility, together with, at the option of ML Holdco, a portion of the Initial Revolving Facility and/or the Initial DDTL Facility, will be used, among other things, to fund the Transactions on the Closing Date.

The commitments under the Debt Commitment Letter expire on the earliest of (i) the termination of the Merger Agreement by ML Holdco or its affiliate or with ML Holdco’s or its affiliate’s written consent in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement in the event the Merger is not consummated, (ii) the consummation of the Merger with or without the funding of the Credit Facilities and (iii) 11:59 p.m. New York City time, five (5) business days after the End Date.

Prior to the Effective Time, MeridianLink will and will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause each of its applicable Subsidiaries and its and their respective representatives to, use its and their respective commercially reasonable efforts to provide ML Holdco, at ML Holdco’s sole cost and expense, with such reasonable and customary cooperation as may be reasonably requested in writing by ML Holdco in each case, to assist ML Holdco and Merger Sub in arranging the Debt Financing, as further described in the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Other Covenants—Financing” beginning on page 89.

The Debt Financing is conditioned on the Closing in accordance with the Merger Agreement, as well as other customary conditions set forth in the Debt Commitment Letter, including, but not limited to:

ML Holdco may invite other banks, financial institutions and institutional lenders to participate in certain capacities in the Debt Financing contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letter and to undertake a portion of the commitments to provide such Debt Financing.

Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, if all or any portion of the Debt Financing expires, terminates or becomes or would reasonably be expected to become unavailable prior to the Closing or any of the Debt Financing is withdrawn or terminated, in each case, such that the amount of the Debt Financing is not sufficient, when added to any portion of the Financing that is and will be available prior to or at the Closing, to pay the Required Amount on the Closing Date, ML Holdco must (i) promptly notify MeridianLink in writing of such event and the reasons giving rise to such event, (ii) use, and Merger Sub must use, its commercially reasonable efforts to arrange and obtain, as promptly as possible following the occurrence of such event (and in any event no later than the Closing), and to negotiate and enter into definitive agreements with respect to, alternative financing from the same or alternative sources, in an amount sufficient, when added to any portion of the Financing that is and will be available prior to or at the Closing and available cash of ML Holdco and Merger Sub, to pay the Required Amount on the Closing Date, and (iii) obtain a new financing commitment letter or a new definitive agreement with respect thereto that provides for financing (A) on terms and conditions that are not materially less favorable or materially more onerous to ML Holdco and Merger Sub than the terms and conditions to the funding of the Debt Financing on the Closing Date as set forth in the Debt Financing Commitment (as defined below) without MeridianLink’s written consent and (B) in an amount that is sufficient, when added to any portion of the Financing that is and will be available prior to or at the Closing and available cash of ML Holdco and Merger Sub, to pay the Required Amount.

Pursuant to the limited guarantee, dated August 11, 2025 (the “Limited Guarantee”), Centerbridge Capital Partners IV (“Guarantor”) has agreed to guarantee the payment obligations of ML Holdco with respect to (i) the Parent Termination Fee, if and when required pursuant to the Merger Agreement, (ii) any reimbursement and indemnification obligations to the extent due and payable by ML Holdco to MeridianLink for losses suffered or expenses incurred in connection with any obligations with respect to the cooperation provided in connection with the equity and debt financing and (iii) any interest on any unpaid Parent Termination Fee if and when required pursuant to the Merger Agreement (collectively, the “Guaranteed Obligations”), in each case, pursuant to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement; provided that the Guarantor’s maximum aggregate liability under the Limited Guarantee will not exceed $102,600,000.

The Limited Guarantee will terminate upon the earliest to occur of (i) the Closing (ii) payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations and (iii) the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms, other than any such termination in which MeridianLink is entitled to payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligation.

The Closing will take place remotely by electronic exchange of executed agreements and documents and other deliverables no later than three (3) business days after the date the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or, to the extent permitted, waiver of such conditions at the Closing) have been satisfied or, to the extent permitted, waived by the party or parties entitled to the benefit of such conditions, or at such other place, at such other time, or on such other date as ML Holdco and MeridianLink may mutually agree in writing.

As soon as practicable on the Closing Date, the parties will cause the Merger to be consummated by filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware the certificate of merger in such form as required by, and executed in accordance with, the relevant provisions of the DGCL and will make all other filings or recordings required under the DGCL to consummate the Merger. The Merger will become effective at such time as the certificate of merger is duly filed with such Secretary of State, or at such later time as ML Holdco and MeridianLink agree and specify in the certificate of merger.

If the Merger is consummated, holders of record and beneficial owners of Company Common Stock who do not vote in favor of the Merger, who properly demand an appraisal of their shares, who continuously hold (in the case of holders of record) or continuously own (in the case of beneficial owners) their Company Common Stock through the effective date of the Merger, who otherwise comply with the statutory requirements of Section 262 of the DGCL and who do not withdraw their demands or otherwise lose their rights to appraisal, subject to the conditions thereof, are entitled to seek appraisal of their shares in connection with the Merger under Section 262. Unless the context requires otherwise, all references in Section 262 and in this summary (i) to a “stockholder” or a “holder of shares” are to a record holder of Company Common Stock, (ii) to a “beneficial owner” are to a person who is the beneficial owner of Company Common Stock held either in voting trust or by a nominee on behalf of such person, and (iii) to a “person” are to any individual, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity.

The following discussion is not a complete statement of the law pertaining to appraisal rights under the DGCL and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of Section 262, which may be accessed without subscription or cost at the following publicly available website: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title8/c001/sc09/index.html#262 and is incorporated into this proxy statement by reference. The following summary does not constitute any legal or other advice and does not constitute a recommendation that MeridianLink’s stockholders or beneficial owners exercise their appraisal rights under Section 262. Holders of record and beneficial owners of Company Common Stock should carefully review the full text of Section 262 as well as the information discussed below. To the extent there are any inconsistencies between the foregoing summary, on the one hand, and Section 262, on the other hand, Section 262 will govern. Failure to follow the steps required by Section 262 for demanding and perfecting appraisal rights may result in the loss of such rights.

Under Section 262, if the Merger is completed, holders of record or beneficial owners of Company Common Stock who (i) properly submit a written demand for appraisal of such holder’s or owner’s Company Common Stock to MeridianLink prior to the vote on the Merger at the Special Meeting, (ii) do not vote in favor of the Merger, (iii) continuously hold (in the case of a holder of record) or own (in the case of a beneficial owner) such Company Common Stock through the effective date of the Merger, (iv) do not validly withdraw their demands or otherwise lose, waive or fail to perfect their rights to appraisal, and (v) otherwise comply with the statutory requirements and satisfy certain ownership thresholds set forth in Section 262, may be entitled to have their Company Common Stock appraised by the Delaware Court of Chancery if certain conditions set forth in Section 262(g) are satisfied and to receive payment of the “fair value” of their Company Common Stock, exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the Merger, together with (unless the Delaware Court of Chancery in its discretion determines otherwise for good cause shown) interest on the amount determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery to be fair value from the effective date of the Merger through the date of payment of the judgment. If you are a beneficial owner of Company Common Stock and you wish to exercise appraisal rights in such capacity, in addition to the foregoing requirements, your demand must also (A) reasonably identify the holder of record of the shares for which that demand is made, (B) be accompanied by documentary evidence of your beneficial ownership of such Company Common Stock and include a statement that such documentary evidence is a true and correct copy of what it purports to be, and (C) provide an address at which you consent to receive notices given by the Surviving Corporation and to be set forth on the verified list required by Section 262(f). However, after an appraisal petition has been filed, the Delaware Court of Chancery, at a hearing to determine persons entitled to appraisal rights, will dismiss appraisal proceedings as to all persons who are otherwise entitled to appraisal rights unless (1) the total number of Company Common Stock entitled to appraisal exceeds one percent of the outstanding shares of the class of Company Common Stock eligible for appraisal, or (2) the value of the consideration provided in the Merger for such total number of shares exceeds $1 million. MeridianLink refers to these conditions herein as the “ownership thresholds.” Unless the Delaware Court of Chancery in its discretion determines otherwise for good cause shown, interest on an appraisal award from the effective date of the Merger through the date of payment of the judgment shall be compounded quarterly and shall accrue at five percent over the Federal Reserve discount rate (including any surcharge) as established from time to time during such period (except that, if at any time before the entry of judgment in the proceeding, the Surviving Corporation makes a voluntary cash payment to each person seeking appraisal, interest will accrue thereafter only upon the sum of (x) the difference, if any, between the amount so paid and the fair value of the shares as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery, and (y) interest theretofore accrued, unless paid at that time). The Surviving Corporation is under no obligation to make such voluntary cash payment prior to such entry of judgment.

Under Section 262, if the proposed merger for which appraisal rights are provided is to be submitted for approval at a meeting of stockholders, the corporation, not less than twenty (20) days prior to the meeting, must notify each of its stockholders who was such on the record date for notice of such meeting with respect to shares for which appraisal rights are available pursuant to Section 262 that appraisal rights are available and must include in the notice either a copy of Section 262 or information directing MeridianLink’s stockholders to a publicly available electronic resource at which Section 262 may be accessed without subscription or cost. This proxy statement constitutes MeridianLink’s notice to MeridianLink’s stockholders that appraisal rights are available in connection with the Merger, and the full text of Section 262 may be accessed without subscription or cost at the following publicly available website: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title8/c001/sc09/index.html#262. In connection with the Merger, any holder of record or beneficial owner of shares Company Common Stock who wishes to exercise appraisal rights, or who wishes to preserve such holder’s or owner’s right to do so, should review Section 262 carefully. Failure to strictly comply with the requirements of Section 262 in a timely and proper manner will result in the loss of appraisal rights under the DGCL. A stockholder or beneficial owner who loses such holder’s or owner’s appraisal rights will be entitled to receive the per share price described in the Merger Agreement without interest and subject to any applicable withholding taxes. Because of the complexity of the procedures for exercising the right to seek appraisal of Company Common Stock, MeridianLink believes that if a stockholder or a beneficial owner is considering exercising such rights, that stockholder or beneficial owner should seek the advice of legal counsel.

Company Stockholders or beneficial owners wishing to exercise the right to seek an appraisal of their Company Common Stock must do ALL of the following:

Additionally, the demanding stockholder or beneficial owner or another stockholder or beneficial owner who has properly demanded appraisal or the Surviving Corporation must file a petition in the Delaware Court of Chancery demanding a determination of the value of the stock of all such persons within one hundred twenty (120) days after the effective date of the Merger. The Surviving Corporation is under no obligation to file any petition and has no intention of doing so. Accordingly, it is the obligation of Company Stockholders or beneficial owners to take all necessary action to perfect their appraisal rights in respect of Company Common Stock within the time prescribed in Section 262.

After an appraisal petition has been filed, the Delaware Court of Chancery, at a hearing to determine persons entitled to appraisal rights, will dismiss appraisal proceedings as to all persons who asserted appraisal rights unless one of the ownership thresholds is met.

As of the date of this Proxy Statement, one purported MeridianLink stockholder has filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Central District of California relating to the proposed Merger, captioned Terry Plath v. MeridianLink, Inc., et al., No. 8:25-cv-02079 (C.D. Cal. Sept. 15, 2024) (the “Merger Action”).

The Merger Action alleges that the preliminary proxy statement filed in connection with the Merger contains material misrepresentations and/or omissions regarding the Company’s financial projections, the analyses performed by the Company’s financial advisor, potential conflicts of interest of the Company’s officers and directors, and the process leading to the Merger. The Merger Action asserts claims against the Company and the members of the Company’s Board of Directors under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act, and Rule 14a-9 promulgated thereunder, and claims against the individual defendants under Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act. The Merger Action seeks injunctive relief or, in the event the Merger is consummated, damages and expenses in an unspecified amount.

As of the date of this Proxy Statement, MeridianLink has also received two purported stockholder demand letters alleging similar claims. Additional lawsuits arising out of the proposed Merger may be filed in the future. No assurances can be made as to the outcome of such lawsuits or the Merger Action.

A stockholder or beneficial owner wishing to exercise appraisal rights must deliver to MeridianLink, before the vote on the Merger at the Special Meeting, a written demand for the appraisal of such holder’s or beneficial owner’s Company Common Stock. In addition, that stockholder or beneficial owner must not vote or submit a proxy in favor of the Merger. A vote in favor of the Merger, virtually at the Special Meeting or by proxy (whether by mail or via the Internet or telephone), will constitute a waiver of appraisal rights in respect of the shares so voted and will nullify any previously filed written demands for appraisal with respect to such stockholder’s or beneficial owner’s shares. A stockholder exercising appraisal rights must hold of record Company Common Stock on the date the written demand for appraisal is made and must continue to hold the shares of record through the effective date of the Merger. A beneficial owner exercising appraisal rights must own Company Common Stock on the date the written demand for appraisal is made and must continue to own such shares through the effective date of the Merger. For a stockholder, a proxy that is submitted and does not contain voting instructions will, unless revoked, be voted in favor of the Merger, and it will constitute a waiver of the stockholder’s right of appraisal and will nullify any previously delivered written demand for appraisal. A stockholder or beneficial owner who submits a proxy and who wishes to exercise appraisal rights must submit a proxy containing instructions to vote against the Merger or abstain from voting on the Merger. Neither voting against the Merger nor abstaining from voting or failing to vote on the Merger will, in and of itself, constitute a written demand for appraisal satisfying the requirements of Section 262. The written demand for appraisal must be in addition to and separate from any proxy or vote on the Merger. A stockholder’s or beneficial owner’s failure to make the written demand prior to the taking of the vote on the Merger at the Special Meeting will constitute a waiver of appraisal rights.

A holder of record of Company Common Stock is entitled to demand appraisal for the shares registered in that holder’s name. A demand for appraisal in respect of Company Common Stock by a holder of record must reasonably inform MeridianLink of the identity of the stockholder and that the stockholder intends thereby to demand an appraisal of such stockholder’s shares.

A beneficial owner may, in such person’s name, demand in writing an appraisal of such beneficial owner’s Company Common Stock. A demand for appraisal in respect of such Company Common Stock should be executed by or on behalf of the beneficial owner and must reasonably inform MeridianLink of the identity of the beneficial owner and that the beneficial owner intends thereby to demand an appraisal of such owner’s shares. The demand made by such beneficial owner must also (i) reasonably identify the holder of record of Company Common Stock for which the demand is made, (ii) be accompanied by documentary evidence of such beneficial owner’s beneficial ownership of stock and a statement that such documentary evidence is a true and correct copy of what it purports to be, and (iii) provide an address at which such beneficial owner consents to receive notices given by the Surviving Corporation and to be set forth on the verified list required by Section 262(f). If the shares with respect to which a demand is made are owned of record or beneficially owned in a fiduciary capacity, such as by a trustee, guardian or custodian, such demand should be executed by or on behalf of the record owner or beneficial owner in such capacity, and if the shares are owned of record or beneficially owned by more than one person, as in a joint tenancy and tenancy in common, the demand should be executed by or on behalf of all joint holders of record or beneficial owners. An authorized agent, including an authorized agent for two (2) or more joint stockholders or beneficial owners, as

applicable, may execute a demand for appraisal on behalf of a stockholder or beneficial owner, as applicable; however, the agent must identify the stockholder or stockholders or beneficial owner or owners and expressly disclose that, in executing the demand, the agent is acting as agent for the stockholder or stockholders or beneficial owner or owners, as applicable. A stockholder, such as a broker, bank or other nominee, who holds shares as a nominee for others, may exercise his, her or its right of appraisal with respect to shares held for one or more beneficial owners, while not exercising this right for other beneficial owners. In that case, the written demand should state the number of shares as to which appraisal is sought. Where no number of shares is expressly mentioned, the demand will be presumed to cover all shares held in the name of the stockholder.

All written demands for appraisal pursuant to Section 262 should be mailed or delivered to:

If a person who has made a demand for an appraisal in accordance with Section 262 shall deliver to the Surviving Corporation a written withdrawal of such person’s demand for an appraisal in respect of some or all of such person’s Company Common Stock in accordance with subsection (e) of Section 262, either within sixty (60) days after the effective time of the Merger or thereafter with the written approval of the Surviving Corporation, then the right of such person to an appraisal of such shares subject to the withdrawal shall cease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an appraisal proceeding in the Delaware Court of Chancery shall not be dismissed as to any person without the approval of the Delaware Court of Chancery, and such approval may be conditioned upon such terms as the Delaware Court of Chancery deems just; provided, however that any person who has not commenced an appraisal proceeding or joined that proceeding as a named party may withdraw such person’s demand for appraisal and accept the terms offered upon the Merger within sixty (60) days after the effective time of the Merger.

If the Merger is completed, within ten (10) days after the effective date of the Merger, the Surviving Corporation will notify each record holder of Company Common Stock who has properly made a written demand for appraisal pursuant to Section 262 and who has not voted in favor of the Merger, and any beneficial owner who has properly demanded appraisal in accordance with Section 262, that the Merger has become effective and the effective date thereof.

Within one hundred twenty (120) days after the effective date of the Merger, but not thereafter, the Surviving Corporation or any person who has demanded appraisal of such person’s shares and otherwise complied with Section 262 and who is otherwise entitled to appraisal rights under Section 262 may commence an appraisal proceeding by filing a petition in the Delaware Court of Chancery, with a copy served on the Surviving Corporation in the case of a petition filed by a person, demanding a determination of the “fair value” of Company Common Stock held by all persons entitled to appraisal. The Surviving Corporation is under no obligation, and has no present intention, to file a petition, and MeridianLink’s stockholders and beneficial owners should not assume that the Surviving Corporation will file a petition or initiate any negotiations with respect to the “fair value” of Company Common Stock. Accordingly, any persons who desire to have their shares appraised by the Delaware Court of Chancery should initiate all necessary action to perfect their appraisal rights in respect of their Company Common Stock within the time and in the manner prescribed in Section 262. The failure to file such a petition within the period specified in Section 262 could nullify a previous written demand for appraisal.

Within one hundred twenty (120) days after the effective date of the Merger, any person who has complied with the requirements for an appraisal of such person’s shares pursuant to Section 262 and who is entitled to appraisal rights thereunder will be entitled, upon written request, to receive from the Surviving Corporation a statement setting forth the aggregate number of shares not voted in favor of the Merger and with respect to which MeridianLink has received demands for appraisal, and the aggregate number of stockholders or beneficial owners holding or owning such shares (provided that, where a beneficial owner makes a demand pursuant to Section 262, the holder of record of such shares will not be considered a separate stockholder holding such shares for purposes of such aggregate number). The Surviving Corporation must give this statement to the requesting person within ten (10) days after receipt by the Surviving Corporation of the written request for such a statement or within ten (10) days after the expiration of the period for delivery of demands for appraisal, whichever is later.

If a petition for an appraisal is duly filed by a person and a copy thereof is served upon the Surviving Corporation, the Surviving Corporation will then be obligated within twenty (20) days after such service to file in the office of the Delaware Register in Chancery in which the petition was filed a duly verified list containing the names and addresses of all persons who have demanded appraisal for their shares and with whom agreements as to the value of their shares have not been reached by the Surviving Corporation. The Delaware Court of Chancery may order that notice of the time and place fixed for the hearing of such petition be given to the Surviving Corporation and all of the persons shown on the verified list at the addresses stated therein. The forms of the notices by mail and by publication will be approved by the Delaware Court of Chancery, and the costs of any such notices will be borne by the Surviving Corporation.

At the hearing on such petition, the Delaware Court of Chancery will determine the persons who have complied with Section 262 and who have become entitled to appraisal rights thereunder. The Delaware Court of Chancery will dismiss appraisal proceedings as to all of the persons who are otherwise entitled to appraisal rights unless one of the ownership thresholds is met.

After the Delaware Court of Chancery determines the persons entitled to appraisal, and that at least one of the ownership thresholds above has been satisfied, then the appraisal proceeding will be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Delaware Court of Chancery, including any rules specifically governing appraisal proceedings. Through such proceeding, the Delaware Court of Chancery will determine the “fair value” of Company Common Stock, exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the Merger, together with interest, if any, to be paid upon the amount determined to be the fair value. In determining fair value, the Delaware Court of Chancery will take into account all relevant factors. Unless the Delaware Court of Chancery in its discretion determines otherwise for good cause shown, interest from the effective date of the Merger through the date of payment of the judgment will be compounded quarterly and will accrue at five percent over the Federal Reserve discount rate (including any surcharge) as established from time to time during the period between the effective date of the Merger and the date of payment of the judgment. However, the Surviving Corporation has the right, at any time prior to the Delaware Court of Chancery’s entry of judgment in the proceedings, to make a voluntary cash payment to each person seeking appraisal. If the Surviving Corporation makes a voluntary cash payment pursuant to subsection (h) of Section 262, interest will accrue thereafter only on the sum of (i) the difference, if any, between the amount paid by the Surviving Corporation in such voluntary cash payment and the fair value of the shares as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery, and (ii) interest accrued before such voluntary cash payment, unless paid at that time. In Weinberger v. UOP, Inc., Delaware Supreme Court discussed the factors that could be considered in determining fair value in an appraisal proceeding, stating that “proof of value by any techniques or methods which are generally considered acceptable in the financial community and otherwise admissible in court” should be considered, and that “[f]air price obviously requires consideration of all relevant factors involving the value of a company.” The Delaware Supreme Court stated that, in making this determination of fair value, the court must consider market value, asset value, dividends, earnings prospects, the nature of the enterprise and any other facts that could be ascertained as of the date of the Merger that throw any light on future prospects of the merged corporation. The Delaware Supreme Court has indicated that transaction price is one of the relevant factors the Delaware Court of Chancery may consider in determining fair value and that, absent deficiencies in the sale process, the transaction price should be given “considerable weight.” Section 262 provides that fair value is to be “exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger.” In Cede & Co. v. Technicolor, Inc., the Delaware Supreme Court stated that such exclusion is a “narrow exclusion [that] does not encompass known elements of value,” but which rather applies only to the speculative elements of value arising from such accomplishment or expectation. In Weinberger, the Supreme Court of Delaware also stated that “elements of future value, including the nature of the enterprise, which are known or susceptible of proof as of the date of the merger and not the product of speculation, may be considered.”

Upon application by the Surviving Corporation or by any person entitled to participate in the appraisal proceeding, the Delaware Court of Chancery may, in its discretion, proceed to trial upon the appraisal prior to the final determination of the persons entitled to an appraisal. Any person whose name appears on the verified list may participate fully in all proceedings until it is finally determined that such person is not entitled to appraisal rights. When the fair value of Company Common Stock is determined, the Delaware Court of Chancery will direct the

payment of the fair value of the shares, together with interest, if any, by the Surviving Corporation to the persons entitled thereto. Payment will be made to each such person upon such terms and conditions as the Delaware Court of Chancery may order. The Delaware Court of Chancery’s decree may be enforced as other decrees in such court may be enforced.

Persons considering seeking appraisal should be aware that the fair value of their shares as so determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery could be more than, the same as or less than the consideration they would receive pursuant to the Merger if they did not seek appraisal of their shares and that an opinion of an investment banking firm as to the fairness from a financial point of view of the consideration payable in a Merger is not an opinion as to, and may not in any manner address, fair value under Section 262. Although MeridianLink believes that the per share price is fair, no representation is made as to the outcome of the appraisal of fair value as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery, and holders of record and beneficial owners of Company Common Stock should recognize that such an appraisal could result in a determination of a value higher or lower than, or the same as, the per share price. Neither MeridianLink nor ML Holdco anticipates offering more than the per share price to any stockholder or beneficial owner exercising appraisal rights, and each of MeridianLink and ML Holdco reserves the right to make a voluntary cash payment pursuant to subsection (h) of Section 262 and to assert, in any appraisal proceeding, that for purposes of Section 262, the fair value of a share of Company Common Stock is less than the per share price. If a petition for appraisal is not timely filed, neither of the ownership thresholds above has been satisfied in respect of persons seeking appraisal rights or other requirements imposed by Section 262 to seek and perfect appraisal are not satisfied, then the right to an appraisal will cease. The costs of the appraisal proceedings (which do not include attorneys’ fees or the fees and expenses of experts) may be determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery and taxed upon the parties as the Delaware Court of Chancery deems equitable under the circumstances. Upon application of a person whose name appears on the list filed by the Surviving Corporation pursuant to Section 262(f) who participated in the proceeding and incurred expenses in connection therewith, the Delaware Court of Chancery may also order that all or a portion of such expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney’s fees and the fees and expenses of experts, be charged pro rata against the value of all the shares entitled to an appraisal not dismissed pursuant to subsection (k) of Section 262 or subject to such an award pursuant to a reservation of judgment under such subsection (a “Reservation”). In the absence of such an order, each party bears its own expenses.

If any person who demands appraisal of his, her or its Company Common Stock under Section 262 fails to perfect, or loses or validly withdraws, such person’s right to appraisal, such person’s Company Common Stock will be deemed to have been converted at the Effective Time into the right to receive the per share price as provided in the Merger Agreement. A person will fail to perfect, or effectively lose or withdraw, such person’s right to appraisal if no petition for appraisal is filed within one hundred twenty (120) days after the effective date of the Merger, if neither of the ownership thresholds above has been satisfied in respect of persons seeking appraisal rights or if the person delivers to the Surviving Corporation a written withdrawal of such person’s demand for appraisal in accordance with Section 262.

From and after the effective date of the Merger, no person who has demanded appraisal rights with respect to some or all of such person’s shares in compliance with Section 262 will be entitled to vote such Company Common Stock for any purpose or to receive payment of dividends or other distributions on the stock (except dividends or other distributions payable to stockholders of record at a date which is prior to the effective date of the Merger); provided, however, that if no petition for an appraisal is filed within the time provided in Section 262, or if such person delivers to the Surviving Corporation a written withdrawal of such person’s demand for an appraisal in respect of some or all of such person’s shares within sixty (60) days after the effective date of the Merger, then the right of such person to an appraisal of the shares subject to the withdrawal will cease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no appraisal proceeding in the Delaware Court of Chancery will be dismissed as to any person without the approval of the Delaware Court of Chancery, and such approval may be conditioned upon such terms as the Delaware Court of Chancery deems just, including, without limitation, a Reservation; provided, however, that the foregoing will not affect the right of any person who has not commenced an appraisal proceeding or joined that proceeding as a named party to withdraw such person’s demand for appraisal and to accept the terms offered upon the Merger within sixty (60) days after the effective date of the Merger.

To the extent there are any inconsistencies between the foregoing summary, on the one hand, and Section 262, on the other hand, Section 262 will govern.

Failure to comply strictly with all of the procedures set forth in Section 262 will result in the loss of a person’s statutory appraisal rights. In that event, you will be entitled to receive the per share price for your dissenting shares in accordance with the Merger Agreement, without interest and subject to any applicable withholding taxes. Consequently, any person wishing to exercise appraisal rights is encouraged to consult legal counsel before attempting to exercise those rights.

The following discussion is a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Merger that may be relevant to the Company Stockholders whose Company Common Stock are converted into the right to receive cash pursuant to the Merger. This discussion is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), final, temporary and proposed Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Code, court decisions, published positions of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), and other applicable authorities, all as in effect on the date of this proxy statement and all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations at any time, possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion is limited to holders that hold their Company Common Stock as “capital assets” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment purposes). This summary of material U.S. federal income tax consequences is not a complete description of all potential U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Merger. This summary does not describe any of the tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. tax jurisdiction and does not consider any aspects of U.S. federal tax law other than income taxation (e.g., estate, gift or alternative minimum tax). In addition, this summary does not address (i) the potential application of the Medicare net investment income surtax, (ii) any withholding considerations under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act of 2010 (including regulations issued thereunder and intergovernmental agreements entered into pursuant thereto or in connection therewith), (iii) the rules regarding qualified small business stock within the meaning of Section 1202 or 1045 of the Code, or (iv) the U.S. federal income tax consequences to the Company Stockholders that exercise appraisal rights under the DGCL. For purposes of this discussion, a “holder” means either a U.S. Holder or a Non-U.S. Holder, or both, as the context may require.

This discussion is for general information only and does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to holders in light of their particular facts and circumstances, including, but not limited to:

If a partnership (including an entity or arrangement classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is an owner of Company Common Stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in such

partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships holding Company Common Stock and partners therein should consult their tax advisors regarding the particular tax consequences to them of the Merger.

We have not sought, and do not intend to seek, any ruling from the IRS with respect to the statements made and the conclusions reached in the following summary. No assurance can be given that the IRS will agree with the views expressed in this summary, or that a court will not sustain any challenge by the IRS in the event of litigation.

THIS DISCUSSION OF MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE TO ANY HOLDER. A HOLDER SHOULD CONSULT ITS TAX ADVISORS CONCERNING THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES RELATING TO THE MERGER IN LIGHT OF ITS PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AND ANY CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR NON-U.S. TAXING JURISDICTION OR OTHER TAX LAWS.

For purposes of this proxy statement, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of Company Common Stock who or that is, or is treated as, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

The Merger (in which cash will be received for Company Common Stock) will be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, such U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference, if any, between the amount of cash received and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Company Common Stock surrendered pursuant to the Merger. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis generally will equal the amount that such U.S. Holder paid for the Company Common Stock. Any such gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if such U.S. Holder’s holding period in such Company Common Stock is more than one year at the time of the consummation of the Merger. If a U.S. Holder acquired different blocks of Company Common Stock at different times or different prices, such U.S. Holder must determine its adjusted tax basis and holding period separately with respect to each block of Company Common Stock. A reduced tax rate on capital gains generally will apply to long-term capital gains of non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individuals. There are limitations on the deductibility of capital losses.

Payments made to a U.S. Holder in exchange for Company Common Stock pursuant to the Merger may be subject to information reporting to the IRS and backup withholding at a rate of twenty four percent (24%). To avoid backup withholding on such payments, U.S. Holders that do not otherwise establish an exemption must complete and return to the exchange agent a properly executed IRS Form W-9 certifying under penalties of perjury that such holder is a United States person for U.S. federal income tax purposes, that the taxpayer identification number provided on such IRS Form W-9 is correct and that such holder is not subject to backup withholding. Certain types of U.S. Holders (including, with respect to certain types of payments, corporations) generally are not subject to backup withholding.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld from payments to a U.S. Holder under the backup withholding rules generally will be allowed as a refund or a credit against such U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their qualification for an exemption from backup withholding and the procedures for obtaining such an exemption.

For purposes of this proxy statement, the term “Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of Company Common Stock that is neither a U.S. Holder nor an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors to determine the U.S. federal, state, local, non-U.S. and other tax consequences that may be relevant to them in light of their particular circumstances.

Any gain realized by a Non-U.S. Holder pursuant to the Merger generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless:

With respect to the third bullet point above, MeridianLink believes it is not a USRPHC. Because the determination of whether MeridianLink is a USRPHC depends, however, on the fair market value of its USRPIs relative to the fair market value of its non-U.S. real property interests and other business assets, there can be no assurance MeridianLink is not a USRPHC. Even if MeridianLink is a USRPHC, gain arising from the sale or other taxable disposition of Company Common Stock by a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax if Company Common Stock is “regularly traded” on an “established securities market,” as both terms are defined by applicable Treasury Regulations and such Non-U.S. Holder owned, actually and constructively, five percent (5%) or less of Company Common Stock throughout the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the sale or other taxable disposition or the Non-U.S. Holder’s holding period.

Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding potentially applicable income tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

Payments made to Non-U.S. Holders in exchange for Company Common Stock pursuant to the Merger may be subject to information reporting to the IRS and backup withholding at a rate of twenty four percent (24%). Non-U.S. Holders generally can avoid information reporting and backup withholding by providing the exchange agent with the applicable and properly completed and executed IRS Form W-8 certifying that the Non-U.S. Holder is not a United States person or by otherwise establishing an exemption to information reporting and backup withholding requirements. Copies of information returns that are filed with the IRS may be made available under an applicable tax treaty or information exchange agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which the Non-U.S. Holder resides or is established.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules generally will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

THE FOREGOING DISCUSSION IS NOT INTENDED TO CONSTITUTE A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OR DESCRIPTION OF ALL POTENTIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES RELATING TO THE MERGER. THIS SUMMARY IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TAX ADVICE. IN ADDITION, THIS DISCUSSION DOES NOT ADDRESS TAX CONSEQUENCES WHICH MAY VARY WITH, OR ARE CONTINGENT ON, A HOLDER’S INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES. ACCORDINGLY, EACH HOLDER IS URGED TO CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER TO SUCH HOLDER IN LIGHT OF SUCH HOLDER’S PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, each of MeridianLink, ML Holdco and Merger Sub (and their respective affiliates, if applicable) will: (i) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all other consents and approvals required from third parties in connection with the Transactions; and (ii) use reasonable best efforts to promptly take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with the other parties in doing, all things necessary or advisable under applicable law to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement as promptly as practicable after the date thereof; provided, however, that in no event will MeridianLink be required to pay, prior to the Effective Time, any fee, penalty or other consideration to any person for any consent or approval required for the consummation of any of the Transactions, except for the filing fees in Section 7.3(a) of the Merger Agreement.

Under the HSR Act, and the rules promulgated thereunder by the Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”), the Merger cannot be consummated until MeridianLink and ML Holdco each file a notification and report form with the FTC and the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) under the HSR Act and the applicable waiting period thereunder has expired or been terminated. A transaction notifiable under the HSR Act may not be completed until the expiration of a 30-calendar-day waiting period following the parties’ filing of their respective HSR Act notification forms or the early termination of that waiting period. MeridianLink and ML Holdco filed their respective HSR Act notifications on August 22, 2025. On September 16, 2025, MeridianLink and ML Holdco received notice of early termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act

MeridianLink, ML Holdco and Merger Sub (and their respective affiliates, if applicable) have each agreed to (i) promptly use its reasonable best efforts to provide all information requested by any governmental entity in connection with the Merger or any of the other Transactions and (ii) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain and secure the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act or other applicable antitrust laws or applicable foreign investment laws and obtain any clearance or approval required to be obtained from the FTC, the DOJ, any state attorney general, any foreign competition, antitrust or investment authority or any other governmental entity in connection with the Transactions as soon as possible, but in any event such that the Transactions may duly be consummated on or before February 11, 2026.

If the Merger is consummated, following the Effective Time, the Company Common Stock will cease trading on the NYSE and will be deregistered under the Exchange Act. As such, we would no longer file periodic reports with the SEC.

The discussion of the terms of the Merger Agreement in this section and elsewhere in this proxy statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Merger Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement and is incorporated into this proxy statement by reference. This summary does not purport to be complete and may not contain all of the information about the Merger that is important to you. You are encouraged to read the Merger Agreement carefully and in its entirety as it is the legal document that governs the Merger.

The following description of the Merger Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Merger Agreement, which is included as Annex A attached hereto. The Merger Agreement has been included to provide Company Stockholders with information regarding its terms. It is not intended to provide any other factual information about MeridianLink, ML Holdco and Merger Sub or their respective subsidiaries or affiliates. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Merger Agreement were made only for purposes of the Merger Agreement as of the specific dates therein, were solely for the benefit of the parties to the Merger Agreement, may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the contracting parties, including being qualified by confidential disclosures made for the purposes of allocating contractual risk among the parties to the Merger Agreement instead of establishing these matters as facts, and may be subject to standards of materiality applicable to the contracting parties that differ from those applicable to MeridianLink’s stockholders. MeridianLink’s stockholders should not rely on the representations, warranties and covenants or any descriptions thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of the parties thereto or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of representations and warranties may change after the date of the Merger Agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be reflected in MeridianLink’s public disclosures. Accordingly, the representations, warranties, covenants and other agreements in the Merger Agreement should not be read alone, and you should read the information provided elsewhere in this document and in our filings with the SEC regarding MeridianLink and its business. See the section of this proxy statement captioned “Where You Can Find More Information.”

The Merger Agreement provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time, Merger Sub will be merged with and into MeridianLink in accordance with the DGCL, whereupon the separate existence of Merger Sub will cease, and MeridianLink will continue as the Surviving Corporation in the Merger. At the Effective Time, as a result of the Merger, the Surviving Corporation will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of ML Holdco, and the Company Common Stock will no longer be publicly traded. In addition, after the Effective Time, the Company Common Stock will be delisted from the NYSE and will be deregistered under the Exchange Act. The Effective Time will occur upon the filing and acceptance of a certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (or at such other time as MeridianLink, ML Holdco and Merger Sub may agree and specify in the certificate of merger).

The Closing will take place as soon as practicable (but, in any event, within three (3) business days, following the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions to the Closing (as described in the section of this proxy statement captioned “—Conditions to the Closing of the Merger”)) (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of such conditions). The parties will execute and deliver a certificate of merger with the Secretary of State for the State of Delaware for filing as provided under the DGCL, as soon as practicable on the Closing Date, and will make any and all other filings or recordings required under the DGCL. The Merger will become effective upon the filing and acceptance for record of the certificate of merger, or at such later date and time as may be agreed in writing by the parties and specified in the certificate of merger.

From and after the Effective Time, all property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of MeridianLink and Merger Sub will vest in the Surviving Corporation, and all of the debts, liabilities and duties of MeridianLink and Merger Sub will become the debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving Corporation.

Under the Merger Agreement, the directors of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time will be the directors of the Surviving Corporation from and after the Effective Time, and the officers of MeridianLink immediately prior to the Effective Time will be the officers of the Surviving Corporation from and after the Effective Time, in each case until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified in accordance with applicable law or until their earlier death, resignation or removal. At the Effective Time, the certificate of incorporation of MeridianLink will be amended and restated to read in its entirety as the certificate of incorporation of Merger Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, except that all references to Merger Sub’s name will be replaced with references to the Surviving Corporation’s name as “MeridianLink, Inc.”, and the by-laws of MeridianLink will be amended and restated to read in their entirety as the bylaws of the Merger Sub as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, except that all references to Merger Sub’s name will be replaced with references to the Surviving Corporation’s name as “MeridianLink, Inc.”

At the Effective Time, each share of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than Excluded Shares and Appraisal Shares) will be automatically canceled and converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration, without interest. As of the Effective Time, all such Company Common Stock will no longer be issued and outstanding and will automatically be canceled and will cease to exist, and each holder of such Company Common Stock will cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive the Merger Consideration in accordance with the Merger Agreement.

At the Effective Time, each share of Company Common Stock held in the treasury of MeridianLink and any Company Common Stock owned by ML Holdco or Merger Sub or any of their direct or indirect subsidiaries immediately prior to the Effective Time will automatically be canceled and cease to exist and no consideration will be delivered in exchange therefor.

At the Effective Time, each share of common stock of Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will automatically be converted into one share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Surviving Corporation.

At the Effective Time, MeridianLink Option, whether vested or unvested, that is an In-the-Money MeridianLink Option will fully vest, be cancelled and, in exchange therefor, each holder of any such In-the-Money MeridianLink Option will have the right to receive, without interest and subject to applicable withholding taxes, an amount in cash equal to (i) the aggregate number of Company Common Stock underlying such In-the-Money MeridianLink Option, multiplied by (ii) the excess of the Merger Consideration over the per share exercise price of such In-the-Money MeridianLink Option. At the Effective Time, each MeridianLink Option, whether vested or unvested, that is outstanding and unexercised as of immediately prior to the Effective Time and has a per share exercise price that is equal to or greater than the Merger Consideration will be cancelled for no consideration.

At the Effective Time, each MeridianLink RSU that is a Vested MeridianLink RSU, will be cancelled and, in exchange therefor, each holder of any such Vested MeridianLink RSU will have the right to receive, without interest and subject to applicable withholding taxes, an amount in cash equal to (i) the aggregate number of Company Common Stock underlying such Vested MeridianLink RSU as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, multiplied by (ii) the Merger Consideration.

At the Effective Time, each Unvested MeridianLink RSU will be cancelled and replaced with a right to receive the Cash Replacement RSU Amounts, which Cash Replacement RSU Amounts will, subject to the holder’s continued service with ML Holdco or its subsidiaries (including, following the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation or its subsidiaries) through the applicable vesting dates, vest and be payable at the same time as the Unvested MeridianLink RSUs for which such Cash Replacement RSU Amounts were exchanged would have vested and been payable pursuant to their terms. All Cash Replacement RSU Amounts will be subject to the same terms and conditions (including with respect to vesting) as applied to the Unvested MeridianLink RSUs for which such Cash Replacement RSU Amounts were exchanged, except for terms rendered inoperative by reason of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Merger, or for such other administrative or ministerial changes as in the reasonable and good faith determination of ML Holdco are appropriate to conform the administration of the Cash Replacement RSU Amounts.

As soon as practicable following the date of the Merger Agreement, the Board was required to adopt resolutions and take all actions necessary or as may be required under the MeridianLink ESPP to: (i) amend and suspend the MeridianLink ESPP such that, except for the offering under the MeridianLink ESPP in effect as of the date of the Merger Agreement, no additional offering will be authorized or commenced between the date of the Merger Agreement and the Effective Time, (ii) provide that no participant in the MeridianLink ESPP may increase such participant’s rate of payroll deductions in effect as of the date of the Merger Agreement or to make separate non-payroll contributions on or following the date of the Merger Agreement (provided that, participants will be entitled to withdraw from the MeridianLink ESPP in accordance with the terms of the MeridianLink ESPP), (iii) provide that only participants in the MeridianLink ESPP as of the date of the Merger Agreement may continue to participate in the MeridianLink ESPP after the date of the Merger Agreement and that no new participants will commence participation in the MeridianLink ESPP after the date of the Merger Agreement, (iv) provide that the MeridianLink ESPP will terminate in its entirety, subject to and as of the Effective Time, and no further rights will be granted or exercised under the MeridianLink ESPP thereafter, and (v) provide that each MeridianLink ESPP participant’s accumulated contributions under the MeridianLink ESPP shall be refunded to the applicable participant in accordance with the terms of the MeridianLink ESPP.

At or substantially concurrent with the Effective Time, ML Holdco will appoint MeridianLink’s transfer agent to act as paying agent (or such other nationally recognized paying agent agreed to between ML Holdco and MeridianLink) with respect to the Merger (the “Paying Agent”) and ML Holdco will deposit, or cause to be deposited, with the Paying Agent cash amounts sufficient to enable the Paying Agent to make payments of the aggregate per share Merger Consideration for each share of Company Common Stock outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.

Promptly after the Effective Time, and in any event no later than two (2) business days after the Effective Time, ML Holdco and the Surviving Corporation will cause the Paying Agent to mail to each person, who was, immediately prior to the Effective Time, a record holder of Company Common Stock whose shares were converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration a letter of transmittal (mutually approved by ML Holdco and MeridianLink) and instructions for use in effecting the surrender of certificates or book entry shares previously representing such Company Common Stock in exchange for payment therefor.

ML Holdco shall ensure that, upon surrender to the Paying Agent of each such Company Stock Certificate or Book Entry Share, together with a properly executed letter of transmittal, the holder of such Company Stock Certificate or Book Entry Share will promptly receive in exchange therefor the Merger Consideration for each share of Company Common Stock formerly represented by such Company Stock Certificate or Book Entry Share. Exchange of any Book Entry Shares shall be effected in accordance with the Paying Agent’s customary procedures with respect to securities represented by book entry. No interest will be paid or accrued on the cash payable upon the surrender or transfer of any certificate or book entry share.

On or after the first (1^st) anniversary of the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall be entitled to cause the Paying Agent to deliver to the Surviving Corporation any funds made available by ML Holdco to the Paying Agent which have not been disbursed to holders of Company Stock Certificates or Book Entry Shares, and thereafter such holders will be entitled to look to ML Holdco and the Surviving Corporation with respect to the cash amounts payable upon surrender of their Company Stock Certificates or Book Entry Shares.

The Merger Agreement contains representations and warranties of MeridianLink and ML Holdco and Merger Sub.

Some of the representations and warranties in the Merger Agreement made by MeridianLink are qualified as to materiality or Company Material Adverse Effect. For purposes of the Merger Agreement, “Company Material Adverse Effect” means any event, change, effect, occurrence, condition, state of facts, circumstance or development (each, an “Effect”) that (i) has had or reasonably would be expected to have, a material adverse effect on the business, condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of MeridianLink and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) would reasonably be expected to prevent, materially impair or materially delay the ability of MeridianLink and

its subsidiaries to perform their obligations under the Merger Agreement or consummate the Merger or the transactions contemplated by Merger Agreement; provided, however, that, none of the following (alone or in combinations) will constitute or be taken into account in determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred or would reasonably be expected to occur:

except that, with respect to the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, eleventh and twelfth bullets above, such effect may be taken into account in determining whether or not there has been a Company Material Adverse Effect to the extent that such Effect has a materially disproportionate adverse effect on MeridianLink and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, compared to other participants in the industry in which MeridianLink and its subsidiaries operate, in which case only the incremental materially disproportionate impact or impacts may be taken into account in determining whether or not there has been a Company Material Adverse Effect.

In the Merger Agreement, MeridianLink made customary representations and warranties to ML Holdco and Merger Sub that are subject, in some cases, to specified exceptions and qualifications contained in the Merger Agreement. These representations and warranties relate to, among other things:

In the Merger Agreement, ML Holdco and Merger Sub made customary representations and warranties to MeridianLink that are subject, in some cases, to specified exceptions and qualifications contained in the Merger Agreement. These representations and warranties relate to, among other things:

The representations and warranties contained in the Merger Agreement will not survive the Effective Time.

The Merger Agreement provides that, except for matters (i) expressly contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (ii) as disclosed in the confidential disclosure letter to the Merger Agreement, (iii) as required by applicable law or the rules or regulations of the NYSE or (iv) undertaken with the prior written consent of ML Holdco (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) during the period of time between August 11, 2025 and the Effective Time, MeridianLink will, and will cause each of its subsidiaries to:

In addition, MeridianLink has also agreed that, without limiting the foregoing, except (i) expressly contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (ii) as disclosed in the confidential disclosure letter to the Merger Agreement, (iii) as required by applicable law or the rules or regulations of the NYSE, or (iv) undertaken with the prior written consent of ML Holdco (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), during the period of time between August 11, 2025 and the Effective Time, MeridianLink will not, and will cause each of its subsidiaries not to, among other things:

For purposes of this proxy statement and the Merger Agreement: